Final phase for the hostage rescue mission; over 3000 rescued
Sri Lanka soldiers have rescued over 3300 civilians
held at hostage by the LTTE terrorists by this evening (May 14) reveal
defense forces. According to the sources , the rescue mission is
underway with thousand more civilians seeking refuge with the soldiers
in the Vellaimulliwaikkal area even at the time of filing this report.
Troops of 58 Division since last morning started
maneuvering southwards along the coast on the Eastern border of the
newly declared civilian safety Zone, and have been able to eliminate
LTTE strongholds up to the Farah III shipwreck , located on the
karyalaimullivaikkal coast.
According to the sources, the shipwreck has been the
main coastal stronghold of the terrorists, on which their heavy machine
guns were placed. The soldiers had to encounter stiff resistance from
the terrorist manning the shipwreck when they posed the open beachhead
this morning. Infantrymen of 11th Sri Lanka light infantry and 12 Gajaba
Regiment upon reaching the location have attacked and destroyed the
dinghy boats on which the terrorists had attempted to escape
Meanwhile, a huge explosion has been reported in the
civilian safety zone where the LTTE leaders are currently hiding in.
According to the reports, the soldiers have heard the explosion around
6.30 P.M , after which they have observed thick black smoke rising above
200m from the ground. Following the explosion, all radio communications
among the LTTE units have come to a standstill, the reports added.
Reports from 59 Division said that 4 civilians were
killed and 14 others suffers serious injuries when the terrorists opened
fire at them as they sought refuge with the soldiers.
Sri Lanka Air force has airlifted 12 of the injured to
the government hospital Anuradhapura.
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