LTTE claims of killing 53 Lankan soldiers

Colombo, Jan 5: In a last-ditch attempt to cling on to last remaining Mullaittivu, the LTTE has claimed to have killed 53 Lankan soldiers on Tuesday, Jan 5 when the army tried to close in the area.

TamilNet, a rebel website claimed to have injured atleast 80 soldiers in the clashes that took place in the east of Paranthan junction.

"The SLA forces were forced to abandon their attempt to advance after suffering high casualties," the website claimed.

"Meanwhile, the Lankan troops, fresh from their takeover of the LTTE 'capital' of Kilinochchi, entered the strategically vital Oddusuddan town located along the Mankulam-Mullaittivu main road," the military said.

"The junction had been used by the LTTE for administrative and logistic purposes as it has direct route access towards Mullaittivu. Troops were engaged in further consolidating operations in north and west of Oddusudan," it said.

Sri Lanka Air Force also carried out airstrikes targeting LTTE 'gathering places' in northeast of Killinochchi and east of Paranthan.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)