The Army had closed in on the Mankulam-Iranamadu road (A-9) by last evening. In some areas, the former gap of 1km to the A-9 has been reduced to 300m due to ongoing operations. Fighting is ongoing in Kokavil area where LTTE units are being gradually encircled by troops.
Commanders have taken steps to maintain safe passage for civilians along the A-9. The 58 Division has also been gradually eating away at LTTE resistance along the Nachchikuda-Akkarayan road. The current lull in the battlefield is due to extra precautions to ensure safe passage for civilians.
Kilinochchi Town has now been emptied of civilians and only LTTE units move in and around the area, LRRP and intelligence units have confirmed. But all-out war for Kilinochchi could make the A-9 dangerously unsafe for civilians who are willing to escape.
Civilians have been moved to other civilian houses, schools and other buildings at Vishwamadu and Puthukudiirippu areas by the LTTE. 38 of these captives escaped via sea and reached Weli Oya recently but the large majority are yet to escape LTTE clutches.
While a cat and mouse game goes on with regard to civilians, LTTE units have been gradually recalled from Muhamalai and Nagarkovil lines into Kilinochchi for what intelligence sources believe could be the final push they have been awaiting. 150 more cadres had reached Kilinochchi last week.
Evidence of cadre movements were uncovered by ground troops on Friday morning when Army units conducting limited operations at the Muhamalai FDL discovered that some of the LTTE lines have been emptied of its cadres. Although it is usually the LTTE's practice to abandon the lines during daytime, it is unusual to empty them at night and in the morning. This trend is observed even at Nagarkovil.
Military commanders have continued with the small group operations in these areas despite the observation as large group operations have been vulnerable to indirect attacks several times before.
Meanwhile LTTE's insurgent operations in the east are still continuing primarily in STF controlled areas. STF was withdrawn from Batticaloa town following several attacks against the Security Forces by LTTE infiltrators. The Army filled in the void and sent in two Military Intelligence teams headed by two officers from Trincomalee. All infiltrators were systematically identified and gunned down. However unless similar steps are taken in STF controlled areas, insurgents may launch sporadic attacks. Possibility of large attacks can be largely overruled at this time.
Source - defencewire
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