Pallai captured

Troops to take full control of A9

Fierce fighting East of Kilinochchi

Ranil WIJAYAPALA

The Security Forces of the 53 Division and 55 Division fast advancing from the Kilali and Muhamalai defence lines are poised to capture the remaining part of the A-9 road to link up with the troops South of Elephant Pass within the next 48 hours, Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka said yesterday.

The troops of the 53 Division under the command of Brigadier Kamal Goonaratne and 55 Division under the command of Brigadier Prasanna Silva are poised to make this historic move to fully open the A-9 road up to Jaffna after the two Divisions captured Pallai town the main township south of Muhamalai and Kilali defence lines. "Troops marching ahead of the Muhamalai and Kilali defences captured the Pallai town located some six kilometres south of Tiger defence line in Muhamalai without much resistance from the LTTE. The Tiger cadres have vacated their third line in Pallai in face of the troops advance", a senior military official told the Daily News.

Military sources also said the LTTE had shifted their artillery guns from Jaffna peninsula to the south expecting the troop advance.

"The troops are only seven kilometres short to take full control of the A-9 road by yesterday evening and they are fast advancing towards the south ," he said.

The historic move by the Security Forces will come once the 53 and 55 Divisions link with the 58 Division now operating in the Elephant Pass south opening the main land route that links the Jaffna peninsula to the mainland which was closed after escalation of violence in August, 2006 with the LTTE launching massive assault on the Muhamalai-Kilali defence line.

The opening of the A-9 road upto Jaffna will give a great relief to the Security Forces in their troop movement mission and also to their logistic supplies as they have to depend on sea and air transport for these purposes burdening the defence budget. As the Jaffna front is advancing to the South, the 58 Division advancing to the East of Paranthan yesterday took control of the Murisamudai area five kilometres East of Paranthan after a few days of fierce battles.

"Fierce fighting erupted in the Dri Aru in the East of Kilinochchi too yesterday as troops of the 57 Division advanced to the East of Kilinochchi," sources added.

Meanwhile, troops attached to 59 Division are also poised to capture the LTTE air strip in Mulliyavali in the West of Mullaitivu as they advanced further Northwards from Mulliyavali town.

The 59 Division troops also captured the famous Vatrapalai Amman Kovil in the West of Nathikadal lagoon by Wednesday giving signs of taking full control of the Mullaitivu West area located West of Nanthikadal lagoon.