The Ceylon News

Advancing Sri Lankan forces made fresh advances into the small areas still held by Tamil Tigers in Pudukudiyirippu killing nine militants in fierce clashes, the defence ministry said on Saturday.

LTTE militants continued mounting heavy artillery and mortar attacks from the no-fire zone yesterday at the troops advancing towards general area Vellamullivaikkal, it claimed.

"At least eight LTTE cadres were killed and nine others reported injured during the initial confrontations," the military said citing intercepted LTTE communication.

"The Tiger rebels were also reported arguing with rear assault groups for delaying of reinforcements to stall the advancing Army infantrymen," the defence ministry said.

At Kokkuthuduwai in Mullaittivu, troops last evening recovered a rebel's body, a tiger motor bike and 50 rounds of Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) ammunitions.

Meanwhile, troops in Puthumathalan and Kariyalwal recovered eight claymore mines, one Rocket Propeller Grenade, two T-56 weapons, 30 hand grenades, one barrel filled with TNT high explosives.

The also took into their possession one mobile phone, three cyanide capsules, six identification dog tags, one passport and one driving license in similar searches yesterday.

A Sri Lankan soldier was wounded due to the explosion of an anti-personnel mine at Andakulam area in Mullaittivu yesterday, the defence ministry said.

Troops conducting search operations from last morning recovered a huge cache of weapons from Kariyalawayal area in Mullaittivu, the Media Centre for National Security said.

Sri Lankan soldiers manning their defences in the Puthumathalan area, northern anterior of the no-fire zone yesterday rescued 130 civilians held hostage by the LTTE. The group of rescued included 60 children, 38 women and 32 men.

The soldiers after providing the civilians with foods and basic medical treatment, sent them to the welfare centres at Kilinochchi, the ministry said.