Date:11/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/11/stories/2006091105851400.htm

International

150 killed in Sri Lankan battles

B. Muralidhar Reddy

28 soldiers among casualties; Jaffna facing shortages of food, medicines

COLOMBO: At least 150 persons, including 28 soldiers of the Sri Lankan Army are feared killed in continuing battles between the military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on the Forward Defence Lines (FDLs) in the northern sector of Jaffna peninsula in the past 24 hours.

According to the military, pitched battles ensued after LTTE cadres fired a barrage of artillery shells and mortars at the security forces.

"Troops, while tactically neutralising the LTTE threat, retaliated strongly to the continuous enemy fire and pushed their advance back after breaking into their positions to neutralise their firepower. Troops soon silenced their fire positions located in their FDLs", the army said in a statement.

Mines detonated

It said the LTTE, in desperation, detonated claymore mines, booby traps, anti-personnel mines and other explosive devices that it had buried ahead of their forward lines. "Troops successfully continued with the offensive against the terrorists. Amidst the explosions and fighting with the terrorists, 28 valiant soldiers laid down their lives while defending their territory. Another 120 soldiers were injured in action and were admitted to hospital", the statement said.

The army said Muhamale entry/exit point as well as its suburbs was under intermittent terrorist attacks since August 11, which prevented troops from re-opening the major link to the peninsula for the people and civilian traffic.

It claimed that troops had caused heavy casualties and damage to the LTTE.

Quoting unnamed sources, the military said at least 115 LTTE cadres were killed in the operations.

There was no word from the LTTE on the operational details as well as casualties in the battle. On Saturday, the LTTE had accused the military of resorting to unprovoked firing in the northern sector and claimed that it had given a "fitting reply".