Troops capture several areas in Mannar

Ranil WIJAYAPALA

MANNAR: The troops operating in the Mannar front yesterday captured several key locations in the North and North East of Adampan securing Mavilkandal, Minnanirachchan and Marattikannaddi areas, Military sources told the Daily News.

At least 10 LTTE cadres were killed in the battle that errupted from early hours of yesterday. Troops captured the Mavilkandal 2.4 Kilometres North of Adampan on the Mannar-Pooneryn road while capturing 700 metres long heavily fortified LTTE defence line in the West of Mavilkandal.

The troops captured nearly one kilometre stretch of this LTTE defence line in the North of Adampan few weeks back.

Meanwhile, troops also captured 500-metre to 600-metre area in Minnanirachchan three Kilometres North East of Adampan.

They also took control of Marattikannaddi in the North West of Andankulam which was used by the Tigers to reinforce cadres into the Mannar front when fighting is going on.

A school building complex and a church were also came under the Security Forces control yesterday.

"The fall of Marattikannaddi is a severe blow to the LTTE as all their operations in the Mannar 'Rice Bowl' area get affected due to this situation," a senior military official added.

Five soldiers also sustained injuries during these confrontations.