With the deadline for the LTTE to surrender expiring at noon yesterday, a further 15,000 civilians had escaped from the Puthumathalan ‘No Fire’ zone to the Government controlled Puthukudiruppu. That number took the total to over 50,000 escapees since Monday and over 100,000 since the exodus from terrorist clutches began a month ago.

Authoritative Military sources said that only around 10,000 civilians are still trapped in the ‘No Fire’ zone and the troops would continue operations to rescue them too.

At noon on Monday the government gave the Tigers 24 hours to surrender but by noon yesterday they had not responded and military sources said the troops would continue with there mission to wipe the terrorists out.

The Tigers, including their leader Velupillai Prabhakaran are now said to be trapped in the southern part of the NFZ.

"Prabhakaran and key LTTE cadres, whose days are numbered, are mingling with the civilians, but their fate is a foregone conclusion," military sources said.

Army Commander Lt. Gen Sarath Fonseka and military top brass were at a high level conference yesterday planning military strategies at the time this edition went to press.

The troops were busy yesterday screening the civilians entering the cleared areas and dispatching them to the Vallipuram Transit Camp for IDP’s, Army sources said.

The civilians who were trying to move to the safety of the government controlled area were attacked by the infuriated LTTE cadres even yesterday and 38 of them were injured.

Reports also said that the irate civilians retaliated and three Tiger cadres were injured.

At least another 250 civilians crossed the Nanthikadal lagoon and sought protection of the troops.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa had ordered the Essential Service Commissioner to ensure that adequate food and medicine supplies are sent to the NFZ.

The 58 Division which took full control of the Puthumathalan and Amapalavankopanai after breaching the earth bund, built by the LTTE to prevent the army entering the area.

This was a huge blow to the remaining Tiger cadres who fired mortars and artillery at the fleeing civilians to stop the mass exodus, military sources.

LTTE intelligence wing leader Pottu Amman, who led the Tiger attack on the troops, finally fled with his cadres unable to withstand the onslaught by the troops.

Troops of the 58 Division received 41,000 civilians who moved to the army held area while the 55 Division accepted a total of 5,863 persons crossing the sand bund. The 53 Division received only 28 of them.

Acting Navy Spokesman Commander Mahesh Karunaratne said the Navy is well prepared to meet the exigencies and two points are being manned by the Navy to treat the sick at Point Pedro and Puthumathalan.

"The sick are being transported by Naval vessels to Trincomalee and from there to the Indian Field Hospital in Pulmoddai for treatment and from there to other hospitals in the region.