32 soldiers killed in Jaffna offensive

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, APRIL 25. At least 32 soldiers were killed and nearly 200 wounded in intense fighting as a fresh offensive by the security forces in Jaffna peninsula today came up against stiff resistance by the LTTE.

The operation, code-named Agnikhela, (rolling fireball), began in the early hours of Wednesday, after the LTTE ended its unilateral ceasefire.

Troops attempting to advance south from Nagarkovil and Eluthumadduval came up against LTTE mines, artillery and mortar firing, the military spokesman, Brigadier Sanath Karunaratne, said.

The operation was in progress as planned, he said and added that the troops had been able to advance, assisted by artillery and the Air Force.

There was no word from the LTTE about its casualties, but the Defence Ministry said monitored LTTE transmissions had indicated that at least 75 cadres had been killed and over 300 wounded.

A Defence Ministry release said 22 security forces personnel were earlier wounded in LTTE mortar fire on Monday night targeting military positions at Muhamalai, Kilaly and Nagarkovil, before the LTTE called off a four-month cease-fire at midnight on Tuesday.

The military offensive began hours later. The Ministry said its aim was to ``expand'' the areas under the control of the security forces in Jaffna peninsula.

Military offensives since last September, through the period of the unilateral truce, helped the Army re-establish control over much of the area in Jaffna peninsula that it lost to the LTTE exactly a year ago.

But there was never any doubt that unless the security forces wrested back Elephant Pass and the areas immediately north of it on the neck of the peninsula, the Government control over Jaffna would at best remain tenuous. It was also quite certain that a move by the military towards Elephant Pass would be resisted fiercely by the LTTE.

According to reports, the LTTE has for months been preparing for an advance by the security forces on Pallai, located 10 kms north of Elephant Pass, and vital for retaining control over it.

In a rejoinder today to the LTTE's decision not to extend the ceasefire, the Government said the rebels had used the truce to prepare their defences in the Elephant Pass-Pallai sector, and had received supplies by sea, some of which had been intercepted by the Navy.

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Section  : International
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