Triple Air Raids target LTTE gatherings to facilitate advancing troops - Wanni

Sri Lanka Air Force today (August 1) carried out three close air support missions for the advancing troops of Army 57 and 59 divisions in the Wanni battlefronts.

According to Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara, all three missions were carried out using MI-24 Helicopter Gunships targeting locations where LTTE terrorists were giving heavy resistance to the soldiers marching ahead.

The first raid was carried out around 11.40 AM targeting an LTTE defensive position located 15 Km Northeast of Nadunkerni , said the Air Force spokesman. He said the target located on the tank bund of the Tannimurippukulam tank was taken in support of troops of 59 division fighting in the Welioya battlefront.

The second and third missions were carried out in support of troops of 57 division advancing towards the strategically vital Tunukkai town, on the combined Mannar- Vavuniya battlefront.

According to the Air Force spokesperson, the first of the last two attacks was carried out targeting a location 4 Km Southeast of Tunukkai junction around 3 PM. The last raid was carried out targeting location 6 Km South East of the Tunukkai town, he said.

Wing Commander Nanayakkara added that the exact damage caused to the enemy due to these raids is yet to be ascertained.