Colombo (PTI): Sri Lankan forces on Tuesday took control of a strategic junction on the outskirts of the last LTTE-held urban area after fierce clashes that killed at least 13 Tamil Tiger guerrillas, the military said.

The capture of the Puthukkudiyiruppu junction in Mullaittivu district came as the military said they were ready to inflict a "decisive blow" to the guerrillas in an effort to end the country's 25-year-old civil war.

At least 13 LTTE rebels were confirmed dead in intense clashes in the last major Tamil Tiger bastion in the embattled North.

"Victorious troops of the 53rd and 58th Division successfully gained control of the Puthukkudiyiruppu junction in Mullaittivu early this morning," said the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS), which is linked to the Sri Lankan Army.

"This is a great victory for the troops advancing in the northern battle front," the MCNS said, adding four roads -- A-35, Paranthan-Mullaittivu, Oddusudan and Putumattalan -- converge at the strategic junction.

Troops have entered the outskirts of the LTTE's remaining garrison at Puthukkudiyiruppu. They reached the Puthukkudiyiruppu junction following hours long fierce fighting that left scores of LTTE cadres killed this morning, the defence ministry said.

"They (LTTE) are only left with two options, either to surrender to security forces or face defeat," the Defence Ministry said. According to a defence observer the "capture of the Puthukkudiyiruppu junction, underscores the endgame for LTTE."