M A I N   N E W S

Lanka: LTTE’s last major defence smashed

Colombo, October 19
Sri Lankan troops pierced through the “last major defence” of the LTTE in the south of its stronghold of Kilinochchi, capturing 19 heavily fortified rebel bunkers despite “poisonous gas attacks” on them, the military said today.

The Army admitted suffering casualties in the intense fighting with the rebels near the LTTE political ‘capital’, but did not give any figure.

“The Army’s 57 division troops pierced LTTE-built earth bund in Akkarayankulam, the LTTE’s last major defence in the south of Kilinochchi build-up yesterday,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

“According to the available information, several soldiers made their ultimate sacrifice for the nation while many others suffered injuries during this battle. Many of the own casualties were due to booby traps,” it said.

The military said troops captured a 3-km stretch of the rebel defence line and captured 19 bunkers during their offensive.

“Troops launched the offensives last morning with two main thrusts attacking the west and the east of the Akkarayankulam tank. Army infantryman moving from the west of the tank scored a major success against the LTTE with capture of 2-km stretch on the earth bund and the 19 terror bunkers,” it said. According to sources, the LTTE was making a desperate bid to retain their last major foothold on the northwestern coast of the island that gave the vital lifeline for the outfit across the Palk Strait, the ministry said. — PTI

Maran submits resignation

Chennai: In a sudden development, former union minister Dayanidhi Maran called on DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi this evening and submitted his resignation in protest against the Sri Lankan army offensive against ethnic Tamils in the island nation.

Contrary to the initial reports that Maran, estranged grandson of DMK leader, would send his resignation directly to the Lok Sabha Speaker, he called on Karunanidhi at the latter’s residence and handed over the letter.

With this, all 16 DMK Lok Sabha members, including seven ministers and four Rajya Sabha members, submitted their resignations. “I am happy about his decision”, Karunanidhi said. — UNI