Intense fighting on five different fronts in Kilinochchi: 160 killed, 350 injured on both sides

Intense fighting on five different fronts in Kilinochchi: 160 killed, 350 injured on both sides
Intense fighting that began in the Kilinochchi sector around dawn on Monday December 22nd 2008 continues to rage even after nightfall, informed sources said.

Nearly 160 have been killed and more than 350 injured from both thew Sri Lankan armed forces as well as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) the sources said.

The fighting on Monday morning commenced following a massive operation being launched by the 57 and 58 divisions of the Army on fife different fronts.

The 18 km long “L” shaped earth bund cum trench constructed by the LTTE to safeguard Kilinochcgi and its environs was the chief target.

Soldiers from the 58 division or task force one attacked tiger positions near the Kunchuparan and Uruthirapuram area on the first front.

Soldiers of the same division attacked LTTE positions in the Nivil – North Adampan area on the second front.

Soldiers of the 57 division attacked tiger positions in the Adampan South area on the third front.

57 division troops also moved north of Thirumurugandy on the fourth front.

57 division soldiers also attacked tiger positions in the Iranaimadhu area on the fifth front.

All five fronts however pertained to the Kilinochchi sector and any progressive military movement was aimed at the ultimate objective of Kilinochchi town.

After prolonged fighting on all five fronts troops from the 58 division withdrew to former positions in the Kunchuparanthan – Uruthirapuram area.

Likewise soldiers of 57 division also pulled back by evening in the Iranaimadhu sector.

Fighting on the other three fronts raged on throughout the night.

The Sri Lankan Air Force also conducted six aerial bombardments on the battlefront.

The Army had breached the earthbund in the Adampan north and South areas and established a hold on about two km lengths of the bund.

According to informed sources the army has lost around a hundred men while the LTTE lost around 60 cadres in the fighting pn Monday.

About 260 soldiers and 90 tigers were injured said sources.

The single day of fighting had resulted in the combined loss of nearly 160 deats and more than 350 injuries.

Army or LTTE the casualties are all Sri Lankan, lamented a journalist in Colombo.

The fighting was continuing in three of the original five fronts during night hours.