LTTE casualties over 100. 18 SLA also killed. Army collects pieces of LTTE remains in sacks.
LTTE casualties in the Vavunikulam battle is over 100 killed and at least another 100 injured, sources in the Army confirmed to DefenceWire a few hours ago. After this battle, Tiger leaders have been requesting their cadres not to engage in and further fighting with the Security Forces saying that they have now 'reverted back to a unilateral cease-fire'.The number of LTTE casualties has increased after mop-up operations to route a remaining team following the two main confrontations at Vaunikulam, namely for the bund and against a retaliatory attack to save trapped Charles Anthony units. The Sri Lanka Army lost 18 men, including a junior officer.
The Deputy Leader of the Charles Anthony unit, named Pallavan, was a very prominent leader in the LTTE involved in defending Thoppigala alongside 'Col.' Jeyam and a team of LTTE's 'Special Forces'. Pallavan is an eastern cadre, whose loyalty to the LTTE leader was so high that he was given the reins of Charles Anthony unit, which comprises of mainly northern cadres.
Meanwhile SLA clearing operations south of Mallavi have amassed several sacks of hands, fingers and limbs of dead tigers, whose corpses have been reduced to rubble in Thursday's firefight. Large blood stains are visible in dry patches of earth. The stench of the rotting corpses has attracted wild carnivorous animals. Field Commanders confirmed that at this rate, the Army will be able to reach Kilinochchi within the next three months.
Meanwhile troops from 4 Special Forces last afternoon ambushed a tractor load of Tigers Northwest of Weli Oya. The exact number of LTTE casualties is not clear. The Navy, after a long silence on Thursday ventured into LTTE controlled areas south of Mulaithivu and engaged an LTTE boat movement using small teams of the Special Boat Squadron, Dvora FACs and a Fast Missile Cruiser. Navy confirmed 3 boats out of 10 were completely destroyed along with the crew.
