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49 Tiger cadre killed: Army

COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan military and Navy on Saturday said at least 49 Tiger cadre had been killed in separate operations amid hunt for the Tigers holed up inside the New Safety Zone (NSZ).

Separately, the military said troops had gained total control over the entire earthbund built by the LTTE in Karayamulliavaikkal after intense fighting.

“Fierce fighting commenced on 6th May lasted for days as terrorists made their fullest strength to hold the earth bund built to resists the security forces” offensive march. The troops were able to inflict considerable damage on the enemy during the last two days. Meanwhile, the Air Force rescued Tamil civilians who were fired upon by the Tigers while they were fleeing to the government- controlled territory.

Air Force spokesperson Janaka Nanayakkara said 12 civilians were airlifted from Alampil to Anuradhapura base hospital. One of the victims has succumbed to his injuries while being airlifted.

The military said panic-stricken Tiger cadre on Saturday morning repeated their brutality in the NSZ and caused death of one more civilian and injured 17 fleeing the LTTE grip. It said 186 civilians were trying to enter troop-held areas across the bridge in Mullaithivu when the Tigers went on a shooting-spree.

The pro-LTTE TamilNet charged the Army with continued heavy shelling with cluster-munitions on civilian targets in Mullivaikkaal within the so-called safety zone throughout Thursday and Friday.

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