Clashes in Mannar & SLAF Raids Another Tiger Base

(January 23, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sources indicated that 10 Tigers were killed at Pallaikuli and 5 more were killed at Parappakandal last morning in North Mannar. Internet sources loyal to the LTTE claimed 12 soldiers were killed by snipers, which was refuted by the Army. No casualties were reported to own troops.

Meanwhile the search operation inside Yala, comprising several thousand security personnel, including the Sri Lanka Army, Special Task Force and the Civil Defence Force (home guards) are continuing. Troops have detected several weapons dumps inside the jungles that were used by the Tigers. The large jungle area, estimated to be close to 1,000 square kilometers, will be systematically searched and the infrastructure supporting the Tigers will be dismantled in the coming days.

Lankan Air Force's supersonic jet bombers raided a highly secure LTTE military base located in the thick jungles east or Iranamadu today morning. The target (identified as X-Ray Base) and the surrounding area had been declared as a 'high security zone' by the LTTE. According to military intelligence, X-Ray base is the nerve center of LTTE operations in Kilinochchi district.

Meanwhile unconfirmed military intelligence reports suggest that an extremely high profile LTTE target was present in the base at the time of bombing. This claim however is unverified as of now.

(DW & DN)