The army was consolidating its positions in newly gained territory 5.5 km away from the Kilinochchi town, having advanced six km into the LTTE stronghold east of Akkarayankulam, which was captured recently. Troops are now two kilometres west of the Murukkandi Hindu temple close to the A-9 highway.

The 57 Division of the army led by Maj. General Jagath Dias overcame stiff resistance from the LTTE, as it forged ahead overrunning enemy defences. Yesterday’s battle left 18 LTTE cadres killed and many injured. Three soldiers were killed and nine injured.

Ground commanders said the LTTE was putting up huge earth bunds and bunker lines to thwart the army’s advance. "They are working day and night to fortify their defences," Military Spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara told The Island last night. However, he said, the army would surmount all those obstacles. The LTTE had no way of stopping the advancing troops. The fall of Kilinochchi, he said, was only a matter of time.

The LTTE, faced with a severe manpower shortage due to being overstretched on several fronts and heavy casualties, has stopped the government workers in Kilinochchi from leaving the area.

Reports from the battlefront indicate that they are being forcibly recruited or made to build bunkers and dig trenches for the LTTE.

Meanwhile, the SLAF has stepped up attacks in support of the ground troops in the Wanni. Three Mi 24 helicopter gunships were used to destroy identified LTTE targets 4.5 km north-east of Akkarayankulam reservoir yesterday.

Air Force Commander Air Marshal Roshan Goonatillake visited the Vavuniya air base yesterday morning on an inspection tour. He thanked his men for having fought fearlessly to foil an LTTE attack on the radar station last Tuesday.

On Sunday, about 20 LTTE cadres were killed on the Vavuniya and Welioya fronts.