By Shamindra Ferdinando
The SLAF struck twice southeast of Puthukkudiyiruppu targeting Tigers engaged in setting up defences on Wednesday as government sources asserted that suspension of the ongoing offensive on the Vanni front would give a fresh lifeline to the LTTE.
Nothing could be illogical as a ceasefire at this juncture, the sources told The Island. Dismissing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s demand to halt the offensive, the sources said the Chief Minister was talking on behalf of the LTTE.
The sources said that a ceasefire would also jeopardise the ongoing naval operations in the Gulf of Mannar to thwart LTTE attempts to bring in supplies, particularly explosives from Tamil Nadu. With the destruction of LTTE ships on the high seas, Tamil Nadu had become the last overseas supply line, the sources said.
Jets launched from Katunayake zeroed-in on what SLAF spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara called an LTTE bunker construction site two kilometres south-east of Puthukkudiyiruppu at 9.25 a.m. He said that several heavy vehicles were damaged in the attack. The SLAF launched a second strike to thwart an LTTE attempt to retrieve its damaged vehicles.
The army had expanded the area under its control north of Akkarayankulamm, west and east of Vannarikulam, Madamodei and Pannaikandamadu in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts. Tuesday’s battles had claimed the lives of seven personnel while 26 received injuries.
The army said that well over 40 LTTE cadres were killed in Tuesday’s confrontations.
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