Army steps up attack on LTTE

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan troops stepped up their all-out assault on the retreating LTTE as the army captured last of several jungle airstrips used by the guerrillas, who lost at least 12 fighters in the fierce clashes, the defence ministry said on Tuesday.

The seventh and apparently the last LTTE runway located in north-east of Piramantharukulam in Puthukudirippu, Mullaittivu, was captured on Tuesday, the army said. It said the airstrip was brought under the control by the 58 Division troops commanded by Brigadier Shavindra Silva.

Amid heavy fighting over the last few weeks, the troops have seized six runways used by the air wing of the LTTE. However, they are yet to come across any of the Czech-made Zlin-143 single-engine planes believed to be used by the LTTE. Meanwhile, in ground clashes, troops inflicted heavy damages on the LTTE in Puthukudirruppu in Mullaittivu, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said.