Airstrikes continue as troops inch closer to Kilinochchi

The Sri Lanka Air Force continued to pound LTTE targets north of Kilinochchi to support infantry divisions advancing towards the town. 3 targets located north of Akkarayankulam and Vennerikulam have been raided by SLAF bombers in simultaneous bombing missions. Meanwhile ground troops have been inching close to Kilinochchi despite heavy LTTE resistance. 57 division units are currently only 3.5km from the borders of Kilinochchi town and Special Forces units are operating even deeper inside LTTE controlled territory. In Vennerikulam, the 58 division has taken under their control large parts of the massive earth bund the tigers had built earlier. These gains however did not come easy. Both parties have suffered casualties in battles south of Kilinochchi that raged on for the past two weeks. Even bloodier battles are to be expected as troops close in on the de facto capital of the LTTE.

As reported earlier, the LTTE has called in several units deployed in the national front to defend Kilinochchi. SLA’s 55 division, who are also deployed in the same area, have been conducting limited operations although not much publicity was given. For the last 3 days, small attack teams of the 55 division would venture into LTTE front line in Nagarkovil/Kilali and launch hit and run attacks on enemy bunkers on the FDL. On top of continuous pressure mounted by the SLA, recent demise of LTTE’s Kilai area leader has only made matters worse for the LTTE in this front.