31 SLA KIA in Chilawatte

31 soldiers were killed in fierce fighting at Chilawatte (Silawatte) in the general areas Mulaitivu on Saturday. 22 of those killed went MIA while the bodies of another 9 were recovered by 59 division troops. So far Tigers have recovered 17 bodies while another few are lying inside a minefield. Casualties to the Tigers is unknown.

A forward operating platoon, comprised of 11GW and 14 VIR troops, met with this unfortunate demise after having successfully crossed an LTTE bund cum ditch. The platoon CO tried to push on further but was met with stiff resistance in an exposed area with a large Villu capable of drowning even a bull. With the 59 less than 5km south, the LTTE bastion of Mulaitivu is now being heavily defended by an LTTE reserve unit reinforced from Muhamalai-Nagarkovil by sea.

In the northwestern flank, troops from the 58 Division are now 2.5km from Paranthan junction. The 57 is progressing steadily, but is taking time due to heavy trappings in the Kilinochchi build-up area. 11 soldiers dies recently when a booby trapped house was razed to the ground.

Meanwhile LTTE has resumed firing heavy volumes of mortars and artillery. Hevay fire was experienced at Chilawatta as well. One LTTE trawler and one ship chartered by the LTTE have unloaded their cargo for two successive days off the Mulaitivu coast. The ship is said to be of Canadian origin and probably owned by the LTTE that had set sail from Indonesia while the trawler had come from south India.

The large vessel has brought mortars and artillery while the trawler has brought in large quantities of medical supplies to treat wounded LTTE cadres as well as torch batteries etc. Powerful anesthetics and antibiotics used in the treatment of gunshot wounds was in short supply for the LTTE until now.