Lanka troops seize key rebel town
Sri Lankan Tamil devotees pray at a Hindu temple in Colombo yesterday. Government forces announced the capture of a strategic town from Tamil Tiger rebels in the north of the island after intense fighting that killed at least 50 rebels.Photo: AFP
Sri Lankan troops yesterday captured a key town from Tamil Tiger rebels in the island's north after intense clashes that left at least 54 guerrillas dead, the defence ministry said.
The fall of Paranthan, near the Tigers' political capital Kilinochchi, effectively cut off the rebels' main supply line to several other strongholds, the ministry said in a statement.
At least 54 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels have been killed and twice as many wounded in heavy fighting since Tuesday, it added.
The ministry did not say if security forces suffered any casualties.
"Unable to withstand the fury of the combined army and air force onslaught, LTTE terrorists withdrew from the town in total disarray," the ministry said.
Paranthan is about six kilometres (four miles) from Kilinochchi, which is the military's main objective.
Military officials said government forces were heading toward Kilinochchi following the success at Paranthan, which had been under rebel control for 10 years.
"LTTE resistances and counter-attacks were outflanked by the intense military armour attacks and concentrated artillery and mortar fire," the defence ministry said.
"The fighting was fierce and prolonged for hours until terrorists were completely beaten by the determined soldiers."
Earlier at least 12 Tamil Tiger rebels were killed by government forces about to capture a key rebel-held town in northern Sri Lanka, the defence ministry said Wednesday.
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