paranthan, Army’s next target
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=32384 Heavy fighting at Muhamalai FDL in Jaffna peninsula
Buoyed by the victory at Pooneryn, the army yesterday pushed forward towards Elephant-Pass from the Forward Defence Line (FDL) at Muhamalai in the Jaffna Peninsula amidst heavy Tiger resistance, defence sources said. The Army 53 Division commanded by Brigadier Kamal Gunaratne made initial advances from its FDL in Muhamalai, according to army sources.
The troops were assisted by the Air Force fighter jets that engaged in several rounds of sorties over LTTE positions in Muhamalai. “The raids were conducted assisting the ground troops,” Air Force Spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.
The Air Force fighter jets first pounded identified Tiger oppositions at 6.45 a.m. when ground troops commenced their advances. Later in the day another round of air strikes took place around 1.30 p.m.
Defence sources said the push from Muhamalai aimed at regaining Elephant Pass commenced keeping up the momentum gained with the taking of Pooneryn on Saturday morning.
The fall of Pooneryn was a major morale blow to the LTTE since it had lost control of the entire north-western coast and the western flank of the A-9 Jaffna-Kandy main road by now.
The Army 58 Division led by Brigadier Shavindra Silva after gaining control of strategically important Pooneryn has directed their focus on Paranthan north of Kilinochchi.
In gaining Pooneryn the 58 Division troops bisected the Pooneryn-Paranthan Road and will now be marching towards Paranthan junction.
Paranthan is situated on the A-9 main road between Kilinocchci and Elephant Pass.
Several earlier attempts by the army to push forward towards Elephant Pass did not succeed and resulted in heavy casualties. The latest being an abortive attempt in April 2008.
But defence sources said the LTTE has now lost a large amount of its fighting power with the morale too being low that would enable the troops to march forward. Defence sources also indicated that with the 58 Division advancing along the Pooneryn-Paranthan Road the Tigers will have to face the army in two fronts to protect Elephant Pass.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=32384 Heavy fighting at Muhamalai FDL in Jaffna peninsula
Buoyed by the victory at Pooneryn, the army yesterday pushed forward towards Elephant-Pass from the Forward Defence Line (FDL) at Muhamalai in the Jaffna Peninsula amidst heavy Tiger resistance, defence sources said. The Army 53 Division commanded by Brigadier Kamal Gunaratne made initial advances from its FDL in Muhamalai, according to army sources.
The troops were assisted by the Air Force fighter jets that engaged in several rounds of sorties over LTTE positions in Muhamalai. “The raids were conducted assisting the ground troops,” Air Force Spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.
The Air Force fighter jets first pounded identified Tiger oppositions at 6.45 a.m. when ground troops commenced their advances. Later in the day another round of air strikes took place around 1.30 p.m.
Defence sources said the push from Muhamalai aimed at regaining Elephant Pass commenced keeping up the momentum gained with the taking of Pooneryn on Saturday morning.
The fall of Pooneryn was a major morale blow to the LTTE since it had lost control of the entire north-western coast and the western flank of the A-9 Jaffna-Kandy main road by now.
The Army 58 Division led by Brigadier Shavindra Silva after gaining control of strategically important Pooneryn has directed their focus on Paranthan north of Kilinochchi.
In gaining Pooneryn the 58 Division troops bisected the Pooneryn-Paranthan Road and will now be marching towards Paranthan junction.
Paranthan is situated on the A-9 main road between Kilinocchci and Elephant Pass.
Several earlier attempts by the army to push forward towards Elephant Pass did not succeed and resulted in heavy casualties. The latest being an abortive attempt in April 2008.
But defence sources said the LTTE has now lost a large amount of its fighting power with the morale too being low that would enable the troops to march forward. Defence sources also indicated that with the 58 Division advancing along the Pooneryn-Paranthan Road the Tigers will have to face the army in two fronts to protect Elephant Pass.
