Latest Update from Sri Lanka2 messages
Rajesh Sundaram, New Delhi, Aug 2 ,2006
Sri Lankan Military spokesman Major Rajapakse has confirmed to Al Jazeera International that 5 Sri Lankan defence personnel have been killed since Tuesday evening. This include 2 soldiers in Muttur in the restive eastern district of Trincomalee and 3 sailors at the navy base in Trincomalee. 20 defence personnel are said to have been injured during this period.
The Sri Lankan military spokesman said the rebel advance on government controlled Muttur has been completely repulsed. He put rebel casualty figures at 60 killed since tuesday evening...most of them in the operation in Muttur and the surrounding areas of Mahindapura, Kaddaiparachchan.
The operation to secure the sluice gate is ongoing. Troops are said to be still a few hundred meters away from the location. The advance is slow as rebels are said to be offering stiff resistance. The whole area has also been mined by the rebels, slowing the troops further.
Meanwhile, the Military spokesperson for the LTTE, Ilanthiran told Al Jazeera from the rebel headquarters that the Army's estimation of rebel casualties is "highly exaggerated".
He put the total toll since the start of the offensive to secure the sluice gate at 22 deaths and 12 injured.
He said latest he was yet to receive the latest casualty figures from the ground.An Update from the rebels is expected in a few hours.
He confirmed that LTTE ground fighters have moved into government controlled areas towards army camps in Muttur, Mahindapura and Kaddaiparacha to "neutralise" government artillery fire which was directed according to him at Civilians and rebel reinforcements moving towards the sluice gate.
Pro LTTE website TamilNet reports that the LTTE has overrun many camps in the region. This is denied by the Sri Lankan Army.
He said Sri Lankan Air Force MIG and Kfir aircraft continue to pound rebel positions in the area.
He claimed over 70000 civilians have been displaced from the district since the start of the 'sluice gate" offensive.
Meanwhile a soldier was killed in a Claymore mine blast at 8: 30 am local time in Mannar. The Army says the LTTE are behind the attack
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