While categorically denying the allegations leveled by Pro-LTTE media, that the military has fired artillery on Mullaittivu District hospital, defence authorities dismissed this allegation as an attempt to tarnish the image of the Security Forces as the terrorists are on the verge of losing their main strongholds, the Government Information Department said on its website.

"The latest ruse by the Tigers has come to the fore with the publication of a story in their mouthpieces Friday (8) morning, claiming that troops in Mullaitivu have fired artillery on Mullaittivu district hospital," Information Department said quoting Defence authorities.

This has been the regular practice of the terrorists outfit every time when their fall in imminent in an area, defence authorities said adding that the tiger terrorists in the same manner used the same tactic in Vakare and Madhu when the troops were reaching Vakare and Madhu areas. Terrorists in both those instances damaged the Vakare hospital and most recently the sacred Madhu Shrine, just before the troops rolled in.