Colombo: At least 53 LTTE rebels were killed in fierce clashes with Sri Lankan troops in the island's embattled north as the security forces captured a strategic rebel stronghold, army said on Wednesday.
Soldiers of the 58 Division of the Lankan Army after wresting control over the Puthukkudiyiruppu West are now engaged in mop operations in the area, the Defence ministry quoted its sources as saying.
According to battlefield reports, the government forces found bodies of 28 LTTE cadres since Monday, the ministry said adding, yesterday alone troops found bodies of 14 rebels along with weapons.
Heavy clashes ensued in both north and south of A-35 road (Paranthan-Mullaittivu) on Monday as troops from north entered into the Puthukkudiyiruppu West, which is located about 18 miles from Parantham.
Puthukkudiyiruppu is the last township in the remaining LTTE enclave which is located about 3 miles from the Puthukkudiyiruppu West built up.
As many as 11 more civilians have fled from LTTE and have sought protection with security forces at Pothpathi and general area Oddusudan yesterday, it said.
"These civilians have arrived amid continuous shelling by the LTTE towards the boundaries of Mullaittivu," security sources said.
As many as 10 LTTE cadres, including nine males and a female were arrested yesterday by the government forces and later handed over to the Vavuniya Police for further investigations, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said.
"The Tiger rebels had mingled among the displaced civilians who were arriving into the liberated areas from Devapuram seeking protection with troops," the MCNS said.
Fierce fighting erupted between the security forces and LTTE cadres inflicting severe damages to the outfit in the Udayakattu area and Puthukkudiyiruppu West on Thursday.
After the confrontations the troops recovered bodies of 11 LTTE rebels with weapons, it said.
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