Major incidents of terrorist violence in Sri Lanka, 1992-2008

2008

May 5: Ten LTTE militants, including two area leaders, were killed and 52 others injured by the security forces in an encounter at the Muhamalai FDL in Jaffna district. Two soldiers were killed and 14 others sustained injuries in the LTTE attack. One soldier, meanwhile, was reported missing.

May 4: During clashes between the SFs and LTTE militants in the Navakkulam and Palampiddi areas of Vavuniya district, the SFs killed three militants.

May 3: At least 15 LTTE militants, most of them hailing from the "Imran Pandian regiment" – said to be LTTE’s most acclaimed regiment, were killed in an offensive launched by the troops in the Chettiyarkattaiadampan area, southeast of Giant Tank in the Mannar district. The outfit is reported to have lost some of their vitally important areas such as Veppankulam, Kallikulam, Pikkulam and Karukkandal during most recent confrontations with the troops who have already established their positions to the extent of 8.5 sq km, northwest of Giant Tank.

At least 12 LTTE militants were killed and 10 others were injured during clashes with the troops in the Palampiddi, Adampan and Nedunkandal areas of the Mannar and Vavuniya districts. One soldier was also killed while six others sustained injuries in the clashes.

The troops captured about 1.5 sq km stretch of land in the LTTE-held territory of Periyakulam in the Mannar district killing 10 militants while injuring 10 others. Two soldiers were wounded during the clashes.

During an encounter between the two sides in the area north of Janakapura in Vavuniya district, the SFs killed seven militants while more than 20 others were injured. Two soldiers were killed and four others sustained injuries in the incident.

The SFs clashed with several groups of LTTE militants in the Ethawatunuwewa, Kokkuthuduvai, north of Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniya district and killed four of them. Five soldiers were also killed in the incidents while three others were wounded.

May 2: An unspecified number of LTTE bunkers in the Veddayamurippu, Allikulam, Palamoddai, Manthai and Malikaittidal areas of Vavuniya and Mannar districts were captured by the troops during confrontations in which 19 militants were killed and about 15 others got injured. Two soldiers were also killed while three others injured in the clashes.

May 1: Advancing troops captured the LTTE-held Karukkakulam town in the Mannar district, killing at least 15 militants. One soldier was killed in the incident.

The SFs neutralized four LTTE bunkers and killed 11 militants while injuring an equal number of them during separate attacks in the Navathkulama, Muttiramadittakulam and Palampiddi areas of Vavuniya district.

During a clash between the two sides in the area north of Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa, the SFs killed five militants.

At Veddayamurippu in the Mannar district, the troops destroyed a LTTE bunker line killing five militants and injuring at least seven others.

Three LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the Karukkakulam, Nedunkandal and Veddayamurippu areas of Vavuniya and Mannar districts.

April 30: At least 40 LTTE militants, including a leader, were killed and several others wounded as the troops captured the outfit’s 18-Base in the Veppankulam and Kallikulam areas of Mannar district. Six soldiers were injured in the operation. Subsequently, two MI-24 fighter crafts of the Sri Lanka Air Force providing aerial cover to the advancing ground troops bombed two LTTE camps in the Karukkakulam and Chalampaikulam areas.

11 militants were killed and 21 soldiers were injured in fighting between the two sides in the LTTE-held areas of Periyakulam, Karukkakulam and Kathankulam in the Mannar district.

April 29: Seven LTTE militants, including six senior cadres, were killed when the troops neutralised two bunkers which were reportedly being used by senior cadres of the outfit in the Manipullaukulam area of the Mannar district.

The SFs attacked an LTTE camp in the Muttlamadittakulam area of Vavuniya district and killed six militants while injuring four others.

The troops clashed with a group of LTTE militants in the Muttlamadittakulam area of Vavuniya district and killed four of them. One soldier was killed while another sustained injuries in the exchange of fire.

At Navathkulama in the Vavuniya district, the troops neutralized an LTTE bunker and killed three militants.

April 28: Three LTTE militants were killed when the troops launched attacks towards the outfit’s bunkers in the Kaddupulan and Kattikulam areas of Mannar district.

April 21: The troops in a pre-dawn attack captured the LTTE main operation base in Mannar, codenamed "Lima-3", located east of Kathankulam. A stretch of about 1,300 meters also came under the troops’ control while seven militants were killed in the operation. Four soldiers were wounded in the incident.

April 20: 13 LTTE militants were killed during separate encounters with the troops in the Kathankulam, Veddayapiru, Veddayampuramkulam, Adampan and Malikaittidal areas of Mannar district.

MI 24 fighter helicopters of the SLAF neutralised an LTTE mortar location and one of the outfit’s forward command posts in the area east of Adampan in the Mannar district. Reports confirmed that 12 militants were killed and an equal number of them wounded in the attack.

The troops captured two LTTE trenches and shot dead at least five militants during separate clashes in the Andankulam and Puttankulam areas of Vavuniya district.

April 19: Four militants were killed when clashes erupted between the LTTE and SFs in the Muhamalai and Nagarkovil areas of Jaffna district.

April 18: 13 militants were killed and three others injured as the troops launched attacks on LTTE hide outs at Kathankulam and Malikaittidal in the Mannar district. One soldier got wounded in the incident.

The troops clashed with LTTE militants in the area east of Madhu in the Mannar district and killed 12 militants while wounding eight others.

Three LTTE militants were killed and 21 others received injuries by the troops during confrontations in the area north of Janakapura, north of Kiriibbanwewa and Andankulam in the Vavuniya district. One of the seven injured soldiers died later.

April 17: The troops during clashes with the LTTE in the Andankulam east area of Vavuniya district killed four militants and injured eight others. Two soldiers were also killed while five more sustained injuries in the clashes.

Six more LTTE militants were killed by the troops in a separate incident in the Andankulam east area of Vavuniya district.

During another clash between the two sides at Kokkuthuduvai in the Vavuniya district, the SFs killed at least four militants. One trooper was also killed while another was wounded in the clash.

Four more LTTE militants, including two female cadres, were killed by the troops in the Kattikulam and Tenvadaiyan areas of Mannar district.

April 16: The troops killed six LTTE militants and injured nine others during clashes in the Andankulam, Palampiddi, Vinayakankulam, Palamoddai, Kanne Karappu and Periyakulam areas of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also killed while eight others sustained injuries in the clashes.

The SFs killed five LTTE militants while injuring 47 others during clashes in the Janakapura, Kiriibbanwewa and Andankulam areas of Vavuniya district. Nine soldiers were also wounded during the clashes.

During more clashes between the two sides in the Kaliaddanchan, Manthotam and Vediya Murippu areas of Mannar district, the SFs killed four LTTE militants and injured three others. Two soldiers were injured in these incidents.

April 15: Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops during clashes in the Paleipperumalkadu, Kaddupulan, Vettukkuly, Veddayamurippu and Veppankulam areas of Mannar district. One soldier sustained injuries in one of the clashes.

Three militants were killed when the troops clashes with LTTE militants in the Navakkulam, Narrikkulam and east of Madhu areas of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers were injured during the clashes.

April 14: The SFs launched attacks on a few LTTE hideouts in the area east of Madhu in the Mannar district. Seven militants were killed in one of these attacks.

During a clash between the two sides in the area north of Janakapura and north of Kiriibbanwewa in Vavuniya district, five LTTE militants were killed while 11 others were injured. Two soldiers were also killed and seven others sustained injuries in the incident.

April 12: The troops extended their defence line in the areas north of Giant Tank, north Kathankulam, south east of Adampan and Periyakulam in the Mannar district after fierce confrontations with the LTTE. At least 66 militants were killed while over 50 others sustained injuries in the clashes. 10 soldiers were also killed and 20 others got injured in the incident.

Five LTTE militants were killed and eight others injured in clashes with the SFs in the Villattikulam, Vinayagapuram, north of Madhu and Chinnavalayankulam areas of Vavuniya and Mannar districts. Two soldiers were wounded in the incident.

April 11: The troops ambushed a group of LTTE militants in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district and killed three of them.

April 10: Five LTTE militants were killed when the troops neutralised outfit’s bunkers at Udaiyadi in the Mannar district.

During another confrontation between the two sides in the Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniya district, the SFs neutralised an unspecified number of outfits’ bunkers, killing three militants while injuring 14 others. Five soldiers also sustained injuries in the clashes.

The SFs confronted with a group of LTTE militants in the Ilampiddi area of Mannar district and killed three militants while injuring seven others.

The troops attacked an LTTE bunker line in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district and killed three militants. Three more militants got injured in the incident.

Two more LTTE bunkers were neutralised by the troops in the Veddayamurippu area of Mannar district, killing three militants.

April 9: The troops killed at least seven LTTE militants during clashes in the Janakapura jungles and Kiriibbanwewa.

During another encounter between the two sides in the Adampan and areas north of Parappakandal in the Mannar district, the security forces (SFs) killed at least four LTTE militants. Three soldiers sustained injuries in the clashes.

April 8: Seven LTTE militants, including two females, were killed by the SFs in the Madhu, Adampan and Veddayamurippu areas of Mannar district.

Two soldiers and a civilian were killed and one soldier was wounded when a team of army soldiers on a patrol were wrongly identified to be LTTE militants and fired upon by the STF personnel at Komari in the Ampara district.

April 7: Four LTTE militants were killed by the troops in an ambush in the Palampiddi area of Mannar district.

In another ambush at Chennmaniattuaru, the troops killed four LTTE militants.

The troops killed three LTTE militants, including one female, in two separate incidents at Thirukethiswaram and Perankulam areas of Mannar district.

The SFs killed three LTTE militants in the Kiriibbanwewa area of Vavuniya district.

April 6: The Highway Minister and Chief Government Whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and 13 others were killed in a suicide attack carried out by the LTTE at a sporting event in the Weliweriya area, about 25-km north of capital Colombo, of Gampaha district. Fernandopulle was about to inaugurate a marathon when a suspected LTTE suicide bomber disguised as a marathon runner blew himself up, killing the Minister and at least 11 others, including National Athletic coach Lakshman De Alwis and Olympic marathon runner and national record holder K.A. Karunaratna. Over 90 people, including Gampaha Division Senior Superintendent of Police Hector Darmasiri, were injured in the blast.

At least 21 LTTE militants were killed and nine others injured by the troops during separate clashes that erupted between the two sides in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district.

The troops killed at least eight LTTE militants in the Adampan, Manikilmarichchi, Kallikulam and Malikaittidal areas of Vavuniya and Mannar districts.

Four LTTE militants, including two females, and a soldier were killed clashes between the two sides in the Madhu camp area of Mannar district. One soldier was injured during one of the clashes.

The troops neutralised three LTTE bunkers and killed four militants in the Malikaittidal area of Vavuniya district.

During an encounter between the two sides, the SFs killed three LTTE militants in the Chanakakulam area of Vavuniya district.

April 5: The troops clashed with several groups of LTTE militants in the areas north of Kiriibbanwewa and Janakapura in the Vavuniya district and killed at least 14 militants while injuring several others. Four soldiers were injured in these clashes.

11 more LTTE militants were killed by the troops during separate clashes in the Palampiddi, Madhu, Mundipurippu, Nedunkerni and Thirukethiswaram areas of Mannar district. Five soldiers sustained injuries in these clashes.

April 4: The troops neutralised an unspecified number of LTTE bunkers at Kallikulam in the Vavuniya district and killed eight militants.

April 3: At least 11 LTTE militants were killed by the troops during clashes in the Navathkulama area of Vavuniya district.

During a clash between the two sides in the Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniya district, the troops killed four LTTE militants. One soldier died of gunshot injuries while four others sustained injuries.

The troops shot dead three LTTE militants near the Omanthe Entry/Exit point area of Vavuniya district.

April 2: The troops advanced another 800 metres into the LTTE-held territory neutralising the outfit’s FDLs in the Kaliaddanchan village of Mannar district, said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara. "The fierce fire fight lasted for an hour and a half and troops advancing on the LTTE frontlines gained 800 meters of Tiger territory in the confrontation. Thirteen Tiger cadres were injured in the confrontation", he added. One soldier was also killed while 12 others were injured during the clashes.

The SFs in the newly captured Sinapandivirichchan area of Vavuniya district foiled an attempt by the LTTE to re-capture one of their bunkers in the area. In retaliatory action, the troops killed at least 11 militants and injured five others. Two soldiers were also killed while 15 others sustained injuries during the encounter.

The troops attacked an LTTE bunker in the Nikawewa area of Vavuniya district and killed four militants while injuring two others.

Three militants were either killed or injured by the troops when they attacked an LTTE hideout in the area north of Kiriibbanwewa area of Vavuniya district.

April 1: At least 21 LTTE militants were killed when the troops attacked a bunker line of the outfit at Pikkulam in the Mannar district. 12 soldiers were injured during the operation.

21 LTTE militants were killed during clashes with the troops at Puthukulam in the Mannar district.

The troops in the Sulanamaruthamadu and other areas of Vavuniya and Mannar district killed 12 LTTE militants. Five soldiers were also injured due to the explosion of LTTE laid booby traps.

The SFs neutralised LTTE bunkers in the Malikaittidal area of Vavuniya district and killed at least five militants.

During an encounter between the two sides in the area north of Manthai in the Mannar district, the troops killed four LTTE militants.

March 31: A tractor carrying LTTE militants was fired upon by the troops in the Mundimurichchikulam area of Vavuniya district. Troops confirmed that six militants were killed in the incident.

Four militants were killed by the troops when clashes erupted between the two sides in Janakapura area of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also killed while another sustained injuries in the incident.

At Andankulam in the Vavuniya district, at least four female LTTE militants were killed by the troops.

March 30: Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops during three separate encounters in the Malikaittidal, Veddayamurippu and Adampan areas of Mannar district.

March 29: At least 11 LTTE militants were killed during separate clashes with the troops in the Madhu area of Mannar district. One soldier was also killed while four others were injured in these clashes.

At least 10 LTTE militants were killed as the troops captured an area of about 700-metre in the Ilantaivan region of Mannar district. Two outfit’s bunkers were also neutralised in the incident.

Three soldiers were killed and four others injured during clashes with the LTTE militants in the Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniya district. One militant was also killed while an unspecified number of them sustained injuries during the clashes.

The troops observed a movement of a group of LTTE militants in the Navathkulama area of Vavuniya district and opened fire. Four militants were confirmed killed in the troop’s firing.

March 28: Nine militants were killed during two separate clashes that ensued after the troops confronted two LTTE movements in the Kaduruvitankulam and Periyathampane areas of the Vavuniya district.

During two separate confrontations between the two sides in the Nagarkovil and Eluttumadduwal areas of Jaffna district, the troops killed seven militants. One female militant was among the slain militants, troops at Eluttumadduwal confirmed.

March 27: At least nine LTTE militants were killed and several others injured by the troops when clashes erupted between the two sides in the area north of Janakapura in the Vavuniya district. One army officer was also killed while three soldiers got injured in the incident.

The troops neutralised an LTTE hide-out in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district, killing four militants. One soldier was also killed while three others got injured in the incident.

Five more LTTE militants were killed when the troops neutralised an LTTE bunker in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also injured.

The troops retaliated to an LTTE attack in the Nagarkovil area of Jaffna district and killed at least three militants. Two outfit’s bunkers were also destroyed in the troop’s fire.

March 26: The troops ambushed a group of LTTE militants in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district and killed seven of them. One soldier sustained injuries in the incident.

Four soldiers were killed and eight others sustained injuries following accidental APM explosions in the Sulanamaruthamadu, Adampan and Koilmoddai areas of Mannar district.

At Kiriibbanwewa in the Vavuniya district, the troops confronted two groups of LTTE militants and killed at least two of them. Two soldiers were killed while three others sustained injuries during the clashes. The troops later recovered the dead body of one of the slain militants along with one T-56 weapon.

The SFs retaliated and rescued eight fishermen when they detected a group of people trying to come out of a jungle patch three-kilometre east of Omanthai in the Vavuniya district under heavy small arms fire by the LTTE militants. Three of the escapees were killed while another three sustained injuries in the LTTE attack.

The troops shot dead three LTTE militants at Janakapura in the Vavuniya district.

March 25: The 11 sailors, who went missing when a locally–built fast attack craft of the Sri Lanka Navy was caught in a LTTE-triggered sea mine explosion in the Nayaru Sea off Mullaitivu coast on March 22, have reportedly died.

Five LTTE militants were killed by the SFs during an encounter in the Adampan area of Mannar district.

The troops neutralised a LTTE bunker in the jungles north of Janakapura in the Vavuniya district, killing at least four militants.

Air Force Wing Commander Andrew Wijesuriya reiterated that intelligence sources confirmed three LTTE militants were killed and eight others injured in an air raid carried out by the SLAF at the Sea Tiger Coordinating Centre located in the Puthukudirippu area of Mullaitivu district on March 22.

March 24: Three LTTE militants were killed by the troops during an encounter in the Karampaikkulam area of Vavuniya district. Four soldiers were injured in the incident.

The troops killed seven LTTE militants in the area south of Madhu in the Mannar district.

March 23: 10 LTTE cadres were killed by the troops during clashes in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district. Six of the slain militants were inside a bunker when the Rocket Propeller Gun fire completely destroyed it.

The troops killed at least six LTTE militants during intermittent fighting that erupted in the Janakapura, Kokkuthuduvai and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniya district.

The troops killed five LTTE militants in the Periyakulam area of Mannar district.

March 22: At least 25 LTTE militants were killed and an equal number of them injured as the troops successfully responding to heavy resistance by the militants moved forward and captured an area of about one square kilometer in the Periyakulam and Ilantaivan regions, north of Uyilankulam in the Mannar district. Four soldiers were also killed while 16 others sustained injuries.

At least 13 LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the areas southwest of Madhu and Kallikulam in Mannar district.

Seven more LTTE militants were killed and 10 others injured by the troops during clashes between the two sides in the Kiriibbanwewa area of Vavuniya district. Three soldiers were killed while seven others sustained injuries during the incident.

During two separate encounters, the troops killed four LTTE militants in the Nagarkovil area of Jaffna district.

At Kokkuthuduvai and Janakapura in the Vavuniya district, the troops killed three LTTE militants.

March 21: The troops attacked and captured a LTTE strong point and bunker complex north of Janakapura in the Vavuniya district, killing three militants. Six soldiers were also injured in the confrontation.

Three more LTTE militants were killed and 22 others injured during another confrontation between the two sides in the Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniya district.

March 20: The troops attacked a LTTE bunker in the Pandivirichchen area of Vavuniya district and killed at least four LTTE militants.

During another attack in the Villattikulam area of Vavuniya district, the troops killed at least four more LTTE militants.

The troops ambushed a group of LTTE militants and killed four of them while injuring three others in the area of north of Janakapura. Two soldiers were also injured in the incident.

Three more LTTE militants were killed while two others sustained injuries when the troops attacked another group of militants in the Veddayamurippu area of Mannar district.

March 19: Eight LTTE militants were killed and two of their bunkers destroyed in an ambush carried out by the Army Special Infantrymen at Kottakkarankulam, West of Omanthai, in the Vavuniya district, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said. Soldiers also destroyed two LTTE bunkers and killed another three militants, he added.

The troops repulsed an attack by the LTTE in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district and killed three militants. Three other militants were injured in the incident.

The troops ambushed a group of LTTE militants in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district and killed three more militants.

March 18: At least four LTTE militants were killed and several others injured when the troops attacked and neutralised a bunker in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district.

The troops attacked two LTTE camps in the Kokkuthuduvai area of Vavuniya district and killed four militants while injuring another.

The troops recovered decomposed dead bodies of nine LTTE militants, including five females, from dense jungles in the Periyapanndivirichchan area of Vavuniya district. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that the troops engaged in liberating the Wanni front launched an attack on the LTTE front-lines in Periyapanndivirichchan on March 8.

March 16: Three militants were killed as clashes erupted between the troops and a group of LTTE militants in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district.

March 15: Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops during a confrontation in the Mullikulam area of Mannar district.

Four soldiers were reported killed and three others injured during another confrontation between the two sides at Kokkuthuduvai in the Vavuniya district.

The troops killed four LTTE militants during confrontations in the Adampan and Malikaittidal areas of Mannar district. One soldier also sustained injuries in the Malikaittidal incident.

The troops having observed four LTTE militants in the Navakkulam and Kirchudankulam areas of Vavuniya district opened fire and shot them dead.

At Andankulam in the Vavuniya district, the troops in an encounter killed three LTTE militants. One soldier was also injured in the confrontation.

March 14: The troops during two separate attacks captured four LTTE bunkers and killed four militants in the Kallikulam and Malikaittidal areas of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers were injured during the clashes.

The troops attacked an LTTE strong point in the Kokkuthuduvai area of Vavuniya district and inflicted heavy casualties to the outfit. Thought the exact detail of the outfit’s casualties are yet to be ascertained, the troops confirmed that three soldiers were killed while seven others got injured in the ensuing gun battle.

March 13: 11 LTTE militants were killed during several confrontations between the troops and the militants in the Karukkakulam, Nedunkandal, Vannakulam and Ilantaivan areas of Mannar district.

Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops during another confrontation that occurred in the Karampaikkulam area of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also injured in the incident.

Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops when clashes erupted between the two sides in the Villattikulam area of Vavuniya district.

March 12: Nine LTTE militants were killed and an equal number of them injured when the troops attacked three bunkers of the outfit in the Udayanathankulam area of Vavuniya district. Three soldiers also sustained injuries.

The troops fired on a tractor carrying LTTE militants in the Karampachchikulam area of Vavuniya district and completely destroyed the tractor, killing six militants.

Four LTTE militants were killed when the troops attacked a gun position of the outfit in the Kokkuthuduvai area of Vavuniya district.

The troops killed three LTTE militants during an encounter in the Karampachchikulam area of Vavuniya district.

At Janakapura in Vavuniya district, the troops confronted a group of LTTE militants who were taking cover behind a bunker. In the ensuing gun battle the troops neutralised the bunker and killed three militants.

March 11: The troops operating ahead of the Maruthamadu FDL in the Vavuniya district killed five LTTE militants.

The troops in a pre-dawn attack captured the immediate surroundings adjacent to the Sinnaodaippu sluice gates under their control after advancing about 500 meter to the east. Four militants were killed while three soldiers sustained injuries in the fight.

The troops attacked a LTTE bunker in the Umayaratuvarankulam area of Vavuniya district and killed three militants, including the team leader Tallavan.

Three more LTTE militants were killed by the troops during an encounter in the Karampaikkulam area of Vavuniya district.

March 10: At least 26 LTTE militants, mostly females, were killed and three others injured by the troops during clashes in the Puliyankulam area of Mannar district. One soldier was also killed while 13 others were wounded during the clashes.

The troops attacked one more fortified LTTE strong point in the Karampaikulam area of Mannar district and neutralized two of their bunkers and cleared a few trenches. Army’s artillery and mortar fire is reported to have inflicted heavy casualties to the outfit, though the exact details are yet to be confirmed. However, ground troops confirmed that four soldiers were killed while two others sustained injuries during the clash.

The LTTE militants directed 60-mm mortar fire on troop positions in the Vilattikulam area of Vavuniya district, injuring two soldiers. In the retaliatory fire, the troops killed at least four militants.

In a pre-dawn attack on an LTTE bunker line in the Illanthaivan area of Mannar district, the troops killed 10 militants and injured an equal number of them. Troops also captured eight bunkers. Three soldiers were also killed while 12 others were injured.

March 9: At least 15 LTTE militants were killed by the troops during clashes in the Umayarathuwarankulam, Vilathikulam, Venkalacheddikulam, Adampan, Pulmoddai, Ilantaivan and Janakapura areas of Vavuniya district. Five soldiers were also killed during these clashes.

March 8: The troops killed 13 LTTE militants during encounters in the Udayanatankulam, Karampaikkulam, Palaimoddai, Palaikuli, Periyavalayankaddukulam and Perankulam areas of Vavuniya district.

10 LTTE militants were killed and several others injured during a fierce gun battle with the troops in the Manthai area of Mannar district. Two soldiers were also killed and four others sustained injuries in the incident.

Seven LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the Kilaly and Muhamale areas of Jaffna district. Two soldiers sustained injuries during the encounters.

Three soldiers were killed during clashes with the LTTE militants at Udayanatankulam, Sulainamarutamadu and Ampan areas of Mannar district.

Three LTTE militants were killed and one of their gun positions and two bunkers were neutralized by the troops in the Muhamalai and Nagarkovil areas of Jaffna district.

March 7: Six LTTE militants were killed during clashes in the Veddamkulam, Karampikulam, Madhu camp area, Periyawalandykulam, Tiruketishwara in the Mannar district.

Four LTTE militants were killed by the troops at Kollmoddai in the Vavuniya district.

March 6: At least 12 LTTE militants were killed during a gun-battle that erupted between the two sides in the Kokkuthuduvai area of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers were also killed while 10 others sustained injuries.

12 more LTTE militants were killed and their trench line destroyed by the troops during their operation to capture Parappakandal in the Mannar district.

The troops during clashes with a group of LTTE militants in the Periyapantrichurichchan, Kallikulam and Mundimurippu areas of Mannar district killed seven of them.

Four more LTTE militants and two soldiers were killed when the troops confronted a group of LTTE militants in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers were also injured during the clash.

The troops attacked and destroyed one LTTE bunker ahead of their FDL (at Nagarkovil in the Jaffna district and killed three militants.

March 5: The troops attacked an identified LTTE bunker in the Manthota area of Mannar district and killed five militants. One soldier was also killed while three more sustained injuries in the incident.

The troops attacked an LTTE bunker in the Periyapantichchan area of Vavuniya district and killed five militants. One soldier was injured in the incident.

The troops killed four LTTE militants during an encounter in the Karampaikulam area of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers sustained injuries in the clash.

During an encounter between the two sides at Andankulam in the Vavuniya district, the troops killed three LTTE militants. One soldier was injured in the incident.

March 4: Army troops took under control Pallaikuli east and a LTTE cross-loading point on the Uyilankulam-Andankulam road in Mannar district (about 2.5 sq km in total). Troops reportedly broke into the LTTE dominated Pallaikuli east area and killed seven militants, including three women cadres, and injured five others.

The troops attacked a LTTE bunker in the Palaimodai area of Mannar district and killed at least three militants.

The troops neutralized a LTTE bunker in the Vilattikulam area of Vavuniya district, killing three militants.

March 3: The troops neutralized a LTTE bunker in Chettikulam in the Vavuniya district and killed five cadres. Four soldiers are reported to have been wounded in the incident.

March 2: Eight LTTE militants were killed by the troops in a clash that occurred in the general area of Kokkuthuduwai in the Vavuniya district. Two soldiers were killed while 10 others sustained injuries during the clash.

The troops at Kallikulam in the Mannar district attacked a LTTE hideout with Rocket Propeller Grenades and killed at least six militants. One soldier was also killed in the incident.

Troops attacked a group of militants in the Kovilmadu area of Vavuniya district and killed five of them. At least nine more militants were reportedly wounded in the incident.

March 1: Nine LTTE militants were killed by the troops during separate confrontations between the two sides in the Navakkulam, Mullikulam and Kallikulam areas of Vavuniya district.

The troops confronted a group of LTTE militants in the Kilaly, Muhamalai and Nagarkovil areas of Jaffna district and killed five militants. One soldier was also killed during the confrontation.

During another clash that erupted between the two sides in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district the troops killed two LTTE militants. One soldier was killed while another sustained injuries during the incident.

The troops launched an attack on an LTTE strong point in the area north of Janakapura in the Vavuniya district and killed two militants. During exchange of fire, one soldier was killed while four others sustained injuries.

February 29: Seven LTTE militants were killed by the troops during clashes that erupted in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district.

The troops neutralized four LTTE bunkers in the Kokkuthuduvai and Andankulam areas of Vavuniya district and killed four militants.

The troops killed four LTTE militants during an encounter at Vallaikulam in the Vavuniya district.

The troops launched an attack on an LTTE bunker line at Muhamalai in the Jaffna district and destroyed eight bunkers killing five militants.

In a separate attack, the troops neutralized eight more newly-erected LTTE bunkers in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district and killed five militants.

February 28: The troops captured the Sinnaodaippu sluice gates and its adjacent areas north of Giant Tank in the Mannar district after an encounter erupted between the security forces and LTTE militants. At least 14 militants were killed and six T-56 weapons were recovered during the incident. Two soldiers also sustained injuries in the incident.

Seven LTTE militants were killed in three separate attacks carried out by the troops in the Navakkulam and Periyapantrichurichchan areas of Vavuniya district.

February 27: During intermittent clashes that erupted between the two sides in the Perankulam, Parappakandal, Karukkakulam, Adampan and Mannar town areas of Mannar district, the troops killed at least 14 more LTTE militants.

At Kokkuthuduvai in the Vavuniya district, the troops neutralised LTTE bunkers and killed eight militants.

The troops confronted a group of LTTE militants in the Karampaikkulam area of Mannar district and killed at least four militants. One soldier is reported to have died in the incident.

February 26: Five LTTE militants were killed by the troops during intermittent clashes that erupted between the two sides in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district. Troops also neutralized at least six bunkers of the outfit.

February 25: At least six LTTE militants were killed by the troops during clashes in the Udayanathankulam area of Vavuniya district.

During another clash that erupted between the two sides when the troops launched an attack on three LTTE bunkers at Koilmoddai in the Mannar district, six combatants, including five militants and a soldier were killed. Two soldiers and two militants were also injured.

Three LTTE militants were killed during clashes between the two sides in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district.

February 24: Troops operating in Mannar advanced further into the LTTE-held territory on three fronts from Thiruketheeshvaran, Uyilankulam and Pallikuli, an unnamed senior Army official said. "At least 15 to 20 Tiger cadres were killed in these confrontations," the official added. The troops for the first time advanced further North of Thiruketheeshvaran and captured nearly 800-metre stretch during a two-day battle on February 23-24. Also in the Uyilankulam sector troops captured a stretch of more than one-kilometre close to the Uyilankulam tank bund area.

The Naval intelligence revealed that three senior Sea Tiger [sea wing of the LTTE] women leaders, including self-styled ‘Lt. Colonel Kalai Arasi’, a woman Sea Tiger instructor and six others had been killed in the air raids carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets targeting women’s Sea Tiger training camp at Kiranchi in the Kilinochchi district.

February 23: The troops stormed LTTE bunker line ahead of them in the Koilmoddai area of Mannar district and killed at least 11 militants while destroying three bunkers. Five soldiers were also reported injured in the incident.

At least eight LTTE militants were killed when the troops stormed one of the outfit’s strong points in the jungle north of Janakapura in the Vavuniya district. Eight T-56 weapons, two cyanide capsules, one Icom radio set and three hand grenades were also recovered along with dead bodies of the slain militants.

The troops launched several attacks on LTTE bunker line at Mullikulam and killed seven militants while neutralising a number of their bunkers. An unspecified number of militants and five soldiers were also injured in the clashes.

The troops stormed a line of LTTE bunkers in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniya district and killed seven militants. One soldier was also injured.

The troops confronted a group of LTTE militants on two occasions in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district and killed four militants.

Four LTTE militants were killed and one of their bunkers was neutralised by the troops in the Perankulam area of Mannar district. One T-56 weapon was also recovered from the area.

The troops during an encounter in the Adampan area of Mannar district killed four LTTE militants.

At Mullikulam in the Mannar district, the troops attacked LTTE bunkers ahead of them and killed two militants. One soldier who sustained injuries in the incident died later.

Troops operating in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district shot dead three LTTE militants.

Troops confronted another group of LTTE militants and killed three of them in the Periyapanndivirichchan area of Vavuniya district.

February 22: A fierce gun battle erupted between the two sides when the troops assaulted a group of LTTE militants who were manning a bunker in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district. At least seven militants were killed and three others were seriously injured in the incident.

Six LTTE militants were killed when a fierce gun battle erupted between the two sides in the area north of Welioya sector in the Vavuniya district. Subsequently, the troops recovered dead bodies of the six slain militants along with a Multi Purpose Machine Gun, five T-56 weapons and two radio sets.

In the Mankindamulai area of Vavuniya district, troops over ran a line of LTTE bunkers while killing at least five militants. One soldier who sustained gun shot injuries succumbed later.

Troops attacked another LTTE bunker line in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district and killed four militants. One soldier was also injured.

One more attack on a LTTE bunker line in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district area by the troops resulted in the death of four more militants. Several T-56 magazines were recovered after the incident.

Troops in the Mantota area of Mannar district launched an attack on a LTTE strong point in the jungle and gunned down four militants.

February 21: At least eight LTTE militants were killed when the troops neutralised a bunker of the outfit in the Mullikulam area of Mannar district. Three soldiers were also injured while three T-56 weapons and one Icom radio set were recovered from the incident site.

During another attack launched by the troops targeting a heavily fortified LTTE bunker in the Karampaikkulam area of Mannar district, four militants were killed while several others got injured. Two soldiers were also killed while four more sustained injuries in the gun fire.

Five LTTE militants were killed by the troops in two different attacks in the Periyapantrichurichchan area of Vavuniya district.

Four LTTE militants were killed as a group of outfit’s militants attempting to infiltrate newly captured areas in the Parappakandal area of Mannar district were attacked by the troops.

Troops attacked another group of LTTE militants moving in the Mullikulam area of Mannar district and killed three of them.

The troops attacked a few LTTE bunkers in the Mantota area of Mannar district and killed three militants.

Three LTTE militants were killed by the troops in separate encounters in the Kokkuthuduvai and Adampan areas of Mannar district.

February 20: At least 13 LTTE militants were killed and five others injured during encounters with the troops in the areas west of Parappakandal and north of Pallikuli in the Mannar district. Two soldiers were also killed in the LTTE attacks.

At least 13 LTTE militants were killed when the troops launched an attack towards a group of militants in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also killed while five others sustained injuries in the incident.

The troops attacked another group of LTTE militants in the area north of Villattikulam area of Vavuniya district and killed eight militants. Three militants and a soldier were injured in the gun fight.

At Kallikulam in the Vavuniya district, the troops neutralized a LTTE bunker and killed six militants.

Three soldiers were killed when the LTTE militants opened fire on an Army picket point at Dambakote in the Buttala district. Troops retaliated and injured at least one militant.

February 18: Troops advancing into the LTTE held areas in the eastern part of Mannar district, captured an area of about 600 square metre with an LTTE defence line and a strongly-built bund in the Andankulam area, north of Giant Tank. 10 militants were killed and an equal number of them sustained injuries in the attack. One soldier was also killed while four others received injuries in the fighting.

February 13: At least 13 LTTE militants were killed and an unspecified number of them injured when troops confronted a group of the outfit’s militants in the Parikariperiyakulam and Umayaratuvarankulam areas of Vavuniya district. A soldier was injured during the confrontation.

The troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the Periyathampane area of Vavuniya district and killed at least seven militants.

Four LTTE militants were killed by the troops when clashes erupted between the two sides in the Thaddankulam area of Mannar district.

Three LTTE militants were killed and three of their bunkers destroyed when the troops stormed the LTTE bunker line in the Sirukulam area of Mannar district.

The troops killed three LTTE militants and injured nine others in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district.

February 12: During an encounter between the two sides at Villattikulam in the Vavuniya district the troops killed at least seven LTTE militants and subsequently recovered the dead body of one of the slain militants.

Six soldiers were killed and 10 others injured when LTTE militants fired artillery shells at the densely populated Thalladi town damaging the St. Sebastian Church in Mannar. Troops retaliated with heavy gun fire towards identified LTTE artillery positions in the non-liberated areas north of Mannar, security sources said.

Four LTTE militants were killed when the troops opened fire towards them in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district.

At Kokkuthuduvai in the Vavuniya district, the troops clashed with some infiltrating LTTE militants killing at least three of them while injuring six others.

February 11: At least 13 LTTE militants and 10 soldiers were killed during a gun-battle between the two sides in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district. The troops destroyed 12 LTTE bunkers and also injured an unspecified number of militants. 25 soldiers were reportedly injured in the incident.

At Udayanathankulam in the Vavuniya district, troops attacked and neutralised a LTTE bunker, killing at least eight militants.

The troops killed five LTTE militants during an encounter at Periyapandirichchan in the Vavuniya district.

The troops opened fire towards a group of LTTE militants in the Sirukulam, Karampaikkulam and Nedunkandal areas of Mannar district and killed five of them.

The troops during a raid on an LTTE bunker in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district killed four militants.

At Kokkuthuduvai in the Vavuniya district, during a clash with the LTTE cadres the troops killed four militants while destroying one of their bunkers.

During a clash that erupted between the two sides at Mullikulam in the Mannar district, the troops killed three LTTE militants. One soldier was wounded in the incident.

Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops during two separate clashes between the two sides in the area south of A-9 in the Muhamalai region of Jaffna district.

February 10: Eleven LTTE militants were killed during separate encounters with the troops in the Sirukulam, Karampaikkulam, Adampan and Parappakandal areas of the Mannar district.

The troops killed eight more LTTE militants and destroyed two of their bunkers during an encounter at Kallikulam in the Vavuniya district.

Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district.

Troops operating ahead of the Mullikulam FDL in the Mannar district confronted a group of LTTE militants and killed six of them.

Troops opened fire towards a tractor carrying LTTE militants in the Sivarayankulam area of Vavuniya and killed three militants.

February 9: Fifteen LTTE militants and three soldiers were killed and seven soldiers were wounded during a gun-battle at Periyapantrichurichchan in the Vavuniya district.

Six militants were killed during three separate incidents at Mullikulam in the Mannar district.

The troops launched an attack towards a group of LTTE militants constructing a bunker line in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district and killed five militants.

Troops killed four LTTE militants during separate encounters in the Chettukulam, Ittikandal and Nedunkandal areas of Vavuniya district.

During a confrontation between the two sides at Kokkuthuduvai in the Vavuniya district, the troops killed three militants.

Three LTTE militants were shot dead by the troops during separate encounters in the Koilmoddai and Navakkulam areas of Vavuniya district.

The troops shot dead three LTTE militants in the Periyapantrichurichchan and Umayaratuvarankulam areas of Vavuniya district.

The troops launched two separate attacks on the LTTE militants at Periyapantrichurichchan areas of Vavuniya district and killed three militants.

Three separate attacks launched by the troops at LTTE militants operating in the Muhamalai and Nagarkovil areas of Jaffna district caused the death of three militants.

February 8: The Army captured a one-square kilometer area to the south of Adampan Tank in the Mannar district after confrontations with the LTTE militants. 12 militants and two soldiers were killed during the clashes. Five more soldiers sustained injuries in the operation.

Eight LTTE militants were killed by the troops in an ambush in the Sinnapantrichurichchan area of Vavuniya district.

Eight more LTTE cadres were killed by the troops during a gun-battle between the two sides at Andankulam area of Vavuniya district. Three soldiers were injured in the incident.

Five LTTE militants were shot dead by the troops in the Sirukulam, Kallikulam and Adampan areas of Mannar district.

February 7: Troops confronted another group of the LTTE in the Umayaratuvarankulam area of Vavuniya district and killed at least 10 militants.

Five LTTE militants, including an area leader, were killed and 10 others injured by the troops during a gun battle between the two sides in the Muhamalai and Nagarkovil areas along the A-9 road in the Jaffna district. One soldier was killed and five others sustained injuries during the clash. The troops also neutralized several bunkers of the outfit.

At Periyapanndivirichchan in the Vavuniya district, the troops attacked a LTTE bunker and killed four militants while injuring six others. Two soldiers were also wounded in the incident.

Two LTTE militants and a soldier were killed during a gun battle between the two sides in the Janakapura area Vavuniya district. 10 militants and a soldier were also injured during the gun battle.

February 6: 12 LTTE militants were killed and several others sustained injuries when the troops deployed at the FDLs in the Nagarkovil area of Jaffna district stormed the outfit’s bunkers at about 5.30am. Five soldiers were also injured during the clash. Troops with the assistance of T-55 battle tanks completely destroyed 30 bunkers - four in the Nagarkovil area, 10 in the area north of A-9 and 16 in the Kilaly area.

At least 10 LTTE militants were killed and several others sustained injuries when troops confronted a group of militants in the Welioya and Kokkuthuduvai areas of Vavuniya district.

Six SLN personnel were killed and one was rescued when the Sea Tigers [cadres of the sea wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)] attacked the SLN vessel in the seas off Thalaimannar, an unnamed defence official said. "Six Navy sailors have died and one has been rescued in an attack by the Sea Tigers off northern Thalaimannar," he said adding, the LTTE could have fired from a boat that disguised as an Indian trawler.

Two groups of soldiers who were on an ambush in the Periyapanndivirichchan area of Vavuniya district shot dead four LTTE militants and injured at least nine others. At Kokkuthuduvai, the troops killed four more LTTE militants during another clash.

Army Snipers killed three LTTE militants in two separate incidents in the Parappanikulam and Sirukulam areas of Mannar district.

February 5: The troops confronted a group of LTTE militants in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district and killed nine militants. At least six more militants were reported injured in the confrontation.

Troops after observing the movement of another group of LTTE militants in the Kokkuthuduvai area of Vavuniya district opened fire towards them. In the ensuing gun battle four militants and three soldiers were killed while 14 other soldiers sustained injuries.

During another clash between the two sides at Janakapura in the Vavuniya district, the troops shot dead at least six militants. One soldier sustained injuries during the clash.

At Umayarathuwankulam in the Vavuniya district, troops attacked and captured a LTTE bunker killing five militants.

The troops stormed the LTTE trench line in the Periyathampane area of Vavuniya district and killed four militants.

Two soldiers and a militant were killed when clashes erupted between the two sides at Adampan in the Mannar district.

Three LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the Kaduthodamalai area of Vavuniya district.

February 4: Troops in a series of confrontations with the LTTE militants at Andankulam in the Vavuniya district killed at least 12 of them. An unspecified number of militants were reported injured in the clashes that continued for a couple of hours.

Troops killed at least six LTTE militants during intermittent clashes in the Andankulam, Kaddutaddamalai and Kokkutoduvai areas of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also injured during the clashes.

The LTTE militants opened fire towards the troops in the Periyapanndivirichchan area of Vavuniya district. In the ensuing gun battle two soldiers and a militant were killed while another soldier sustained injuries.

February 3: Three LTTE militants and a soldier were killed during a gun battle in the Periyapanchurichchan area of Vavuniya district.

Troops launched an attack on an LTTE bunker in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district and killed four militants.

In the Kokkuthuduvai area of Vavuniya district, troops during a search and clear operations confronted the LTTE militants and killed four of them.

Four more LTTE militants were killed by the troops during an encounter in the Madu area of Vavuniya district.

Troops killed four LTTE militants who were roaming in the jungle areas of Karampaikkulam and Adampan in the Mannar district.

Troops on a search operation shot dead four LTTE militants in the Koilmoddai area of Mannar district.

At least three LTTE militants were killed and three of their bunkers destroyed by the troops during two separate clashes in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district.

At least 12 persons were killed and around 100 injured, 10 of them critically, when an LTTE female suicide militant blew herself inside the Colombo Fort Railway Station. The bomber who apparently arrived at the railway station in a train blew herself opposite the station cafeteria on platform number three at 2.10pm. The head of the suicide cadre was lying on the platform along with a cellular phone connected to a handsfree kit. "They (LTTE) would have targeted Security Forces personnel who were returning to their bases after rehearsals at the Galle Face Green," an unnamed military official said.

February 2: At least 20 passengers aboard a bus were killed and 50 others injured when the LTTE militants detonated an explosive device at Dambulla bus stand in the Matale district. The bus was to play on the Kandy - Anuradhapura road. Initial reports quoting Dambulla police said that many Buddhist devotees on a pilgrimage to the sacred Anuradhapura city were among the dead and injured.

Troops killed 16 LTTE militants during separate confrontations in the Sirukulam, Andankulam and Kokkuthuduvai areas of Vavuniya. Two soldiers sustained injuries during the confrontation at Kokkuthuduvai.

10 LTTE militants were killed during confrontations with the troops in the Parappakandal and Vannakulam areas of Mannar district. Troops also neutralized three bunkers of the outfit.

Eight LTTE militants were killed by the troops during an encounter in the Villattikulam area of Vavuniya district.

During another confrontation between the two sides in the Periyapanchurichchan and Navakkulam areas of Vavuniya district, troops killed seven LTTE militants.

Five LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also injured during the confrontation.

February 1: Troops killed 10 LTTE militants and neutralized 10 of their bunkers in an attack at the Muhamalai FDL in Jaffna district. Two soldiers were killed six others were injured in the incident.

At least eight LTTE militants were killed when the troops attacked a group of the outfit’s militants in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district.

Troops attacked two LTTE bunkers in the Janakapura and Kokkuthuduvai areas of Vavuniya district and killed four militants.

Troops in the Sirukulam and Chettukulam areas of Mannar district during an encounter killed three militants.

January 31: Troops stormed an LTTE bunker in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district and killed at least eight militants. An unspecified number militants sustained injuries in the incident.

Troops clashed with the LTTE militants at Welioya in the Vavuniya district and killed four of them.

A LTTE suicide bomber on a bicycle blew himself at Thinnaveli in the Jaffna district killing three civilians and injuring 17 others, the military said. Authorities, however, said that the explosion was premature since there was no target in the area.

January 30: The SFs captured the Muhamalai, Nagarkovil and Kilali FDLs of the LTTE in the Jaffna district destroying 35 bunkers of the outfit on January 30. 30 militants were killed and an unspecified number of them were injured during the operations in which seven soldiers also sustained injuries. "Around 12.45 am the Security Forces advanced from their FDLs in the Muhamalai area and smashed the LTTE bunkers in their first attack," military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said, adding, "In the pre-emptive attack the Security Forces overran 35 Tiger bunkers, physically 20 bunkers were destroyed and around 20 LTTE cadres killed." The LTTE withdrew to the second FDLs and the SFs advanced on this too forcing the LTTE to flee the area. The SFs launched another attack on the LTTE’s second FDLs in Muhamalai and Nagarkovil with T-55 tanks and destroyed 10 bunkers while killing 10 militants. "Vehicles of the fleeing Tiger cadres with their injured were also fired at by the Security Forces. LTTE communication intercepts confirmed that 10 LTTE cadres were killed in the skirmishes", Brigadier Nanayakkara said. In a subsequent search operation troops recovered a 60-mm mortar bomb, an RPG and a large stock of ammunition.

At least 10 LTTE cadres were killed during an encounter with the security forces in the Adampan area of Mannar district. The location, believed to be one of the outfit’s command posts, had been heavily fortified with a three-layer concrete slab.

Troops opened fire on a group of LTTE militants in the Kallikulam area of Mannar district and killed at least five cadres and injured several others.

Three civilians belonging to the same family were shot dead by suspected LTTE cadres at Chawakachcheri, defense sources said. The outfit had earlier issued death warrants to the civilians who it accused of acting as security forces’ informers. The Sri Lanka Army report identified the victims as B. Thalikalan (30), K. Baleshwari (28) and B. Pradeepan (17).

January 29: 17 civilians, including 11 children, were killed in a claymore mine attack on a school bus in the Mannar district. The military and the LTTE blamed each other for the incident. A military spokesperson said the forces did not operate in the area, adding, "The blame for the attack on the military is a cheap propaganda tactic by the Tigers cornered in the battlefield." However, the LTTE claimed that 20 civilians, including 11 school children, a teacher of Thadchanaamaruthamadu Roman Catholic Tamil Mixed School, the driver, conductor and two hospital workers were killed and 14 wounded when a Deep Penetration Unit of the Sri Lanka Army triggered a claymore mine targeting the bus carrying school children in Madu division of the LTTE-controlled territory.

The last village of Vaiyttankulam in Adampan under the LTTE control fell to the SFs following heavy fighting in Mannar. The SFs destroyed 10 bunkers and killed 10 militants during the operation. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said, "Vaiyttankulam was located 1-km towards the west of Adampan and the Security Forces destroyed 10 LTTE bunkers while killing 10 Tiger cadres," he said, adding, the fight lasted for two hours and the SFs successfully retaliated the outfit’s resistance forcing them to flee the area.

The SFs neutralized six LTTE bunkers and killed 12 militants in the area south of Pallikuli.

Army snipers killed seven LTTE militants when they were fired upon by the militants in the Karampaikkulam and Parappakandal areas of Mannar district.

During another confrontation between the two sides at Andankulam in the Vavuniya district, troops killed seven militants. Two soldiers were also injured in the incident.

Five LTTE militants who infiltrated into the general areas (areas under government control) at the Kokkuthuduvai FDL in the Vavuniya district were killed in an encounter by the troops.

Troops launched an attack on a group of LTTE militants moving in the Villattikulam area in of Vavuniya district and killed four of them.

At Andankulam FDL in the in the Vavuniya district, the troops killed four more LTTE militants during two separate attacks.

January 28: During six separate clashes with the LTTE, the troops killed nine militants and injured five others in the Kiriibbanwewa and Janakapura areas of Vavuniya district. At Janakapura, militants fired artillery towards the troops killing one soldier.

Troops at Umayaratuvarankulam in the Vavuniya district launched an attack on an LTTE gathering and killed six militants.

During two encounters in the Villattikulam and Kallikulam areas, the troops killed six militants and injured four others. One soldier was injured at Villattikulam.

Troops fired mortar and small arms towards an LTTE bunker line in the Andankulam area of Mannar district and in the ensuing gun-battle, three militants and a soldier were killed while one soldier was injured. In another clash between the two sides in the same area, one soldier was killed and another wounded.

Troops opened fire on a line of LTTE bunkers in the Kilaly area of Jaffna district and destroyed four of them, killing four militants.

Troops launched an attack towards the LTTE bunker lines in the Pallikuli area of Mannar district and destroyed six bunkers, killing seven militants. One soldier was killed and two others sustained injuries during the clashes.

Five LTTE militants were killed by the troops during another clash in the area south of Adampan in the Mannar district.

January 27: At least 10 LTTE militants were killed and an unspecified number of them injured when clashes erupted between the two sides following militant’s fire towards the troops in the Pantrichurichan area of Mannar district.

Troops after observing the LTTE militants constructing a new bunker line in the Kokkuthuduvai area of Vavuniya district launched an assault towards them and killed six militants.

Troops in an encounter killed four LTTE militants in the Mullikulam area of Mannar district.

Three LTTE militants were killed in a similar incident by the troops at Vankalacheddikulam in the Mannar district.

Troops killed three LTTE cadres who attempted to enter into the Kokkuthuduvai area of Vavuniya district. One soldier was injured in the incident.

Three LTTE militants were killed by the troops during another clash ahead of the Muhamalai FDL in Jaffna district. One soldier sustained injuries in this incident.

January 26: The troops launched an artillery attack on a group of LTTE militants in the jungle north of Palamoddai and killed six of them and wounded nine others.

Troops deployed south of Madhu area launched an attack on a group of LTTE militants and killed six of them. Two militants were injured.

Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops during an encounter near the Kiriibbanwewa FDL of Vavuniya district.

During a clash that erupted between the two sides at Villattikulam in the Vavuniya district, the troops killed five LTTE militants.

Troops attacked a LTTE bunker line in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district and killed three militants. An unspecified number of militants were injured in the incident.

Three militants were killed and an unspecified number of them injured by the troops during their attack on an LTTE bunker line in the Vavuniya district. One bunker was also destroyed.

January 25: Troops marching forward captured a one-kilometer stretch of land in the Karpiththanmoddai area on Uyilankulam – Adampan road in Mannar district and killed nine LTTE militants. Troops also smashed seven bunkers. Two soldiers sustained injuries in the incident.

Seven LTTE militants were killed and four others sustained injuries during two gun battles that erupted between the militants and the troops at Madhu road area of Mannar district.

At least six LTTE militants were killed and an unspecified number of them injured when troops assaulted a pocket of militants who were firing at troops from a bunker in the Periyapandirichchan area of Vavuniya district. One soldier who received injuries during the incident died later.

January 24: Police recovered the dead bodies of 16 youths hacked to death by suspected LTTE militants from a swamp at Kiriketuwewa on the Horoupathana-Kebithigollawa road in the Anuradhapura district. According to available information, the victims are believed to be a group of civilians who had gone searching for their cattle. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that 16 dead bodies, including one of a woman, were unearthed from two pits. Some of the dead bodies were found with their hands bound behind their backs.

Eight LTTE militants were killed by the troops in three separate attacks launched on the outfit’s bunkers at Anandankulam in the Vavuniya district.

The troops launched an attack on a LTTE bunker line in the area south of A-9 route at Muhamalai in the Jaffna district and killed five militants.

January 23: Troops moving northward after clearing some LTTE-dominated areas surrounding Parappakandal and Adampan in the Mannar district in the past few days made further advance into the area west of Giant Tank and held on to the territory capturing the road that runs from the northwest towards the southeast. During the operations, troops destroyed two heavily guarded LTTE bunkers with Rocket Propeller Grenade, small arms, mortars and artillery. Further, troops also cleared four bunkers in the captured areas and are in the process of consolidating their positions. Three militants were killed during the clashes.

January 22: 10 LTTE militants were killed and an unspecified number of them injured as troops in the general area (area under government control) of Pallikuli in the Mannar district attacked an LTTE strong point and destroyed four bunkers.

Troops stormed a LTTE bunker line in the area south of Muhamalai in the Jaffna district and killed four militants.

January 21: Troops attacked a group of LTTE militants moving in the general area of Mullikulam in the Vavuniya district. In the ensuing gun battle, troops killed seven militants.

The troops in the general area north of Janakapura in the Vavuniya district confronted another group of LTTE militants and killed six of them.

During a clash that erupted between the two sides at Villattikulam in the Vavuniya district, the troops killed six more LTTE militants.

Troops launched an attacked on two LTTE bunkers and destroyed them in the Parappakandal area of Mannar district. Five LTTE militants were killed in the incident.

At least 15 LTTE militants were killed and 30 others inured as troops launched a pre-down attack against the outfit's bunker lines in the Nagarkovil and Muhamalai areas of Jaffna district and destroyed 24 bunkers. The troops destroyed 12 bunkers east of A-9 road and eight more bunkers west of A-9 road in the Muhamalai area while four bunkers were destroyed at Nagarkovil. Two soldiers were also killed nine others injured during the gun battle that lasted nearly for one hour.

Four LTTE militants were killed and an unspecified number of them injured during another clash between the two sides in the Navathkulama area of Vavuniya district.

A team of police personnel who were providing security at Allimankada in the Kithulkote area of Thanamalwila in the Moneragala district confronted a group of LTTE militants. In the ensuing gun battle three policemen were killed. The militants, however, managed to escape.

January 20: Seven LTTE militants were killed when troops attacked a bunker of the outfit in the Pullippankiyarkulam area of Vavuniya district, reports Sri Lanka Army.

Advancing troops captured another LTTE stronghold in the Vaiyttankulam area of Mannar district after a confrontation with the militants in which four of the militants were killed. Six soldiers were injured in the incident.

Four LTTE militants aboard a tractor were killed when troops opened fire towards the tractor moving about 5-km south of Madhu.

Troops shot dead three militants in the Madhu s area of Mannar district.

January 19: Troops confronted two groups of LTTE militants in the Mullikulam and Villattikulam areas of Mannar and Vavuniya district respectively, killing seven militants. Two soldiers were also injured.

Six LTTE militants were killed by troops during an encounter at Janakapura FDL (forward defence line) in the Vavuniya district.

Troops on advance from their Chettukulam FDL in the Vavuniya district attacked and destroyed two LTTE trenches. Six LTTE militants were killed and 10 others injured in the incident.

Troops killed four LTTE militants and injured nine others when a clash erupted between the two sides in the Chettukulam area of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers also sustained injuries.

At Pallikuli in the Mannar district, troops killed three LTTE militants in two separate incidents.

Two LTTE militants were killed and another injured as troops attacked and destroyed a bunker in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district. During the attack one soldier was also killed and two others were injured.

January 18: 10 LTTE militants were killed by troops during three separate confrontations in the Pullippankiyarkulam, Villattikulam and Janakapura areas of Vavuniya district. Troops also destroyed one bunker.

Troops captured three LTTE strong points in the Pallikuli area of Mannar district and consolidated their positions in the area. During the process, troops killed nine militants.

Troops launched attacks on LTTE positions in the Muhamalai and Nagarkovil areas of Jaffna district and killed six militants.

Troops attacked an LTTE bunker in the Maruthamadu area, 4-km northwest of Omanthai, in the Vavuniya district. Four female militants were confirmed killed and the bunker was completely destroyed.

January 17: At least 10 civilians, including two home guards, were shot dead by the LTTE militants at Hambegamuwa in the Thanamalwila area of Moneragala district. The military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that a group of militants opened fire at civilians in the Thanamalwila area, killing three and wounding three more and had fled into nearby bushes. He added that the troops later found seven more bullet-riddled dead bodies from several different locations in the area. A major search operation is currently underway to locate those militants, he added further.

Nine LTTE militants were killed when troops moving towards the north from their Mannar base confronted militants at Thirukeshwaram in the Mannar district.

During a clash that erupted between the two sides, troops captured another three kilometres patch of land along Uyilankulam – Adampan road in the Mannar district killing five LTTE militants.

During a confrontation between the two sides in the Kurunchakulam area of Vavuniya district, troops killed four LTTE militants.

Troops shot dead four LTTE militants in an encounter in the area north of Pallikuli, a suburb of Adampan in the Mannar district. Three soldiers were also injured during the exchange of fire.

Three LTTE militants were killed and two others injured by troops when they attacked a bunker of the outfit at Janakapura in the Welioya region of Vavuniya district.

January 16: At least 26 civilians, including some school children and women, aboard a Central Transport Bus proceeding to the Buttala town of Moneragala district, were killed and 67 others injured in a claymore mine explosion triggered by the LTTE in the Helagama area near Ella road. The bus was simultaneously fired upon by the militants immediately after the claymore mine explosion.

A group of four LTTE militants, allegedly scurrying back into the jungles minutes after triggering the claymore mine explosion targeting the passenger bus, reportedly shot dead five farmers in their paddy-fields at Dambeyaya in the Heentenna area.

The same group of militants activated a claymore mine targeting a military Unicorn truck, about 2-km north of Galge, on the Buttala–Kataragama road and injured three soldiers.

The LTTE leader for Trincomalee south, Arichelvam, who was wanted for numerous killings and criminal activities in the east, was shot dead by the troops at Pachchanoor. Troops recovered a pistol from his possession.

January 15: Troops attacked and captured one LTTE bunker killing at least four militants in the Periyapantrichurichchan area of Vavuniya district. Troops later recovered the dead bodies of two female LTTE militants along with four T-56 weapons from the captured bunker.

A group of LTTE militants who were moving away from their defence line in the area south of Muhamalai in the Jaffna district were attacked by troops. Three militants were killed and one of their bunkers was destroyed.

During a clash that erupted between the two sides at Janakapura in the Vavuniya district, troops killed three LTTE militants and injured two others.

January 14: Eight LTTE militants were killed by troops during two separate encounters in the Nagarkovil and Muhamalai areas of Jaffna district.

During an encounter between the two sides in the Parikariperiyakulam area of Vavuniya district, the troops killed five LTTE militants.

Five LTTE militants were killed by troops during sporadic clashes in the Periyapantrichurichchan, north of Villattikulam, Kattikulam and Kutinchankulam areas of Vavuniya district. After the clash in Villattikulam, troops conducted a search operation and recovered the dead body of one LTTE militant along with two hand grenades and one pouch.