An LTTE counter attack on the Kilinochchi front on Saturday triggered a costly battle for both parties with the army losing 24 personnel. Of them, the bodies of 12 men are believed to have been recovered by the LTTE. Army headquarters dismissed LTTE claims that it had killed at least 60 soldiers and recovered 12 bodies. It also claimed over 150 soldiers were wounded.

The army placed the number of men wounded in action at 34.

Army headquarters said that troops continued to hold onto their positions despite LTTE counter attacks and were confident of overcoming the terrorist challenge.

Amids the Kilinochchi battle, the army brought the strategically located Nedunkerni east of the A9 under its control. The newly raised Task Force IV secured the town situated 19 km north-east of Puliyankulam. Army headquarters said that this would further restrict LTTE movements between Mullaitivu and areas west of Nedunkerni.

Meanwhile the SLAF launched an attack on an LTTE gathering point northeast of Puthumurippukulam on Sunday morning, in support of 57 Division operating on the Kilinochchi front.

With the area under its control rapidly shrinking east of the A9, the LTTE has stepped up heavy attacks and increased resistance, particularly to 57 Division and Task Force I (TF I) attempting to regain the Iranamadu-Kilinochchi-Paranthan stretch on the Kandy-Jaffna road. In one of bloodiest weeks of fighting, the army last week lost almost 70 officers and men on the Vanni front. (SF)