58 Div troops reach Visuamadu Junction; battles enter last phase at Mullaittivu

Troops of the 58 Division after hours of fierce fighting that ensued with LTTE have reached the Visuamdu junction, this afternoon (Jan 28).

LTTE resistances were rattled during the multi-frontal military assault, ground sources said adding that scores of terrorists were killed and many injured during the fighting.

According to military sources, troops have also gained control over a 10km stretch of the road, running North of Visuamadu via Puliyampokkanai towards Chundikkulama. Troops are now engaged in mopping up the remaining LTTE resistances South of Visuamadu and Piramanthal kulama. LTTE terrorists unable to withstand the military onslaught have further fled towards the declared safer zones at Teravilkulam and Udayarkattukulama, military sources said. Meanwhile, LTTE terrorists have continued firing heavy artillery towards security forces from the declared civilian safety region. "This is an exhibit of utmost contempt to norms of humanity and the lives of the thousands entrapped", a military official said. Security forces have been resilient on securing the safety of the civilians held by LTTE, despite continuous provocations made by the outfit for a military retaliation towards the safe zone, the official further said.

According to available civilian and military ground information, terrorists are concentrating arsenal and fighting units among the civilians in light for what defence observe identify to trigger a 'last minute civilian tragedy.' Thousands of innocent Tamil civilians are held at gunpoint under unprecedented hardships by the LTTE at these safe regions until its senior ranks sketch out an escape route, defence observes further stated.

Meanwhile, during subsequent search operations conducted troops have also found a bus and a recovery vehicle which is believed used to trail artillery guns, security sources said.