The Liberation Tigers destroyed Sri Lanka Army, leaving 82 combatants dead according to both sides last Sunday as the island's main aid donor, Japan, was set to launch a fresh peace bid.
The LTTE said they launched commando attacks along a broad front in Vavuniya and Mannar districts.
They captured armoured vehicles and heavy weapons after destroying long-range guns belonging to the military. They also said they destroyed seven gun positions.
The Tigers also released pictures of a Buffel Armoured Personnel Carrier and bases they captured. Heavy weapons such as medium machine guns, AK-LMGs, 40 mm grenade launchers and 60 mm mortars were among the weapons seized by the Tigers.
The Tigers said they killed at least 30 security personnel in a five-hour battle to capture several gun positions and military detachments. They also said they had recovered 16 bodies by last Sunday evening.
They also admitted to loosing 18 LTTE cadres in the action.
Military sources in Vavuniya told TamilNet at least 20 SLA troopers were killed, 40 wounded, an ammunition dump destroyed in Pampaimadu, and that the Tigers seized a big haul of weapons in their raid.
The Defence Ministry said heavy fighting raged in the area, but claimed that the military had beaten back a LTTE offensive by killing at least 52 Tiger cadres. Officials also admitted to 35 soldiers being injured.
Tiger spokesman Rasiah Ilanthiriyan said that the LTTE had established a forward defence line in areas previously held by the military following the commando-style attack which began Saturday night.
"The LTTE troops are consolidating their positions in the recaptured area," Ilanthiriyan said in a statement. He said a military artillery unit was also "completely destroyed."
Sporadic artillery exchanges continued in Vavuniya district, which borders LTTE territory, both sides said Sunday. Residents and officials said they had heard heavy shelling since Saturday night.
The LTTE said they launched commando attacks along a broad front in Vavuniya and Mannar districts.
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| LTTE cadres at a mortar position they destroyed as they overran SLA bases in Vavuniya Photo LTTE |
The Tigers also released pictures of a Buffel Armoured Personnel Carrier and bases they captured. Heavy weapons such as medium machine guns, AK-LMGs, 40 mm grenade launchers and 60 mm mortars were among the weapons seized by the Tigers.
The Tigers said they killed at least 30 security personnel in a five-hour battle to capture several gun positions and military detachments. They also said they had recovered 16 bodies by last Sunday evening.
They also admitted to loosing 18 LTTE cadres in the action.
Military sources in Vavuniya told TamilNet at least 20 SLA troopers were killed, 40 wounded, an ammunition dump destroyed in Pampaimadu, and that the Tigers seized a big haul of weapons in their raid.
The Defence Ministry said heavy fighting raged in the area, but claimed that the military had beaten back a LTTE offensive by killing at least 52 Tiger cadres. Officials also admitted to 35 soldiers being injured.
Tiger spokesman Rasiah Ilanthiriyan said that the LTTE had established a forward defence line in areas previously held by the military following the commando-style attack which began Saturday night.
"The LTTE troops are consolidating their positions in the recaptured area," Ilanthiriyan said in a statement. He said a military artillery unit was also "completely destroyed."
Sporadic artillery exchanges continued in Vavuniya district, which borders LTTE territory, both sides said Sunday. Residents and officials said they had heard heavy shelling since Saturday night.
