The Hindu Business Line : Troops ready for 'decisive blow', says Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: At least 20 Tamil Tigers were killed in fierce clashes as advancing Sri Lankan forces moved to clear the rebel areas around the fallen LTTE de facto capital of Killinocchi and consolidate their position in the just-captured strategic Elephant Pa ss, the army said on Saturday.

The Sri Lankan Defence Ministry said after the fall of Elephant Pass, which links the Jaffna peninsula with the rest of the mainland, troops are now poised at “launching a decisive blow at the remaining LTTE strong points at Mulliyan, Chempiyanpattu, Chu ndikulam and Kaddaikadu.”

“The fall of EPS has deprived the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the most crucial strategic ground, at the 'Jaffna gateway', following an eight year occupation,” it said.

Troops consolidating positions after clashes in north of Murusamoddai near Kilinochchi have recovered nine bodies of LTTE cadres and a cache of military hardware yesterday, the Ministry quoted security sources as saying.

The roops operating south of Murusamoddai have found two bodies of rebels and 15 hand grenades, the sources said.

During similar search operations in the region, troops have recovered bombs and anti-personnel mines. Ground troops also confirmed taking 10 separate sniper targets in Murusamoddai, the sources said.

As many as 26 more civilians belonging to 10 families escaped the uncleared areas and entered main Kilinochchi yesterday, officials said. - PTI

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