By Shamindra Ferdinando
A large group of terrorists carrying arms, ammunition including mortars were intercepted by troops at Meeyankulam, about five kms west of Valachchenai on Thursday night, a senior army officer said adding that at least thirty terrorists were killed. They withdrew carrying some of their dead, he said. Troops yesterday conducted a clearing operation in the area where several bodies along with arms and ammunition were recovered.

"We recovered the bodies," the officer based at Valachchenai said while adding that five rounds of 120 mm mortars, 38 rounds of 82 mm mortars, 130 anti-personnel mines, two powerful communications sets, two light machine guns and three T-56 assault rifles were also found at the scene of battle. Troops did not suffer casualties.

They were moving from the north towards the south when troops swung into action. "They were heading towards Batticaloa," he said expressing the belief the terrorists were engaged in moving a large stock of armaments from the northern theatre to the east. Responding to questions, the officer said that well over 100 terrorists were moving across the area controlled by two army detachments, one at Meeyankulam and the other neat "T" junction when troops fired at them.

According to information obtained by the military, Jeevan considered leader of the Vakara-Kadiraweli area was among the dead.