399 Tigers killed since January

The Security Forces in their offensive attacks to liberate the Northern and Wanni fronts, killed 399 LTTE cadres and wounded several hundreds since January this year, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.

Around 75 civilians had fled uncleared areas and sought refuge with the Security Forces in April, Brigadier Nanayakkara told yesterday's media briefing. "A total of 308 civilians had fled in boats from the Tigers' clutches and fought refuge with the Forces", he added.

The Security Forces successfully launched offensive attacks to liberate the Northern and Wanni fronts killing 399 Tigers' from January upto date.

"Advancing troops in the battle field lost 34 soldiers while 236 were injured. Sixteen civilians were killed and 83 were injured," he added. Meanwhile, Air Force kfir jets and Migs pounded an LTTE logistics base 15 kms northwest of Puthukudiruppu yesterday between 6.25 a.m. and 6.35 a.m.

"Air Force fighter jets took an LTTE target 500 meters away from the current location on April 1 and ground sources confirmed that the LTTE suffered heavy casualties in the air raid," he added.