Date:09/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/09/stories/2008070955401201.htm

International

LTTE stronghold captured

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's military on Tuesday claimed to have captured "an LTTE strong point" in the Mulaithivu jungle even as fighting continued in the north.

The Defence Ministry said troops advancing towards north of Janakapura came across a "strong defensive position of the LTTE" about 10 km inside the jungle. The military said three fortified bunkers and three trenches were found.

The Ministry said two soldiers were killed and another reported wounded on Tuesday at Arsadikulama in the Vavuniya battlefront when troops confronted a group of terrorists.

Separately, the Air Force claimed to have launched two successive raids targeting an "LTTE logistic facility' in Paranthan. A spokesperson said the attacks targeted the logistic base located 3 km south-west of Paranthan by the supersonic fighter jets.