Locations frequented by Prabhakaran bombed: Sri Lanka

Colombo, Dec 27 (IANS) Sri Lankan jets Saturday carried bombed two locations suspected to be frequented by Tamil Tigers leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, the defence ministry said.

The ministry quoted air force spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara as saying that both targets were located in the northeastern Mullaitivu district, considered the nerve centre of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The bombing raids were carried out in support of the advancing ground troops.

'The jets targeted a hiding place of (Prabhakaran) in a thick jungle one kilometre southeast of Vishwamadhu tank around 8.45 a.m. Then, the jets pounded a secret meeting place of senior LTTE leaders, 1.5 km southeast of Puthukkudiyiruppu, at 12.45 p.m.,' Nanayakkara said.

There was no immediate reaction from the rebels.

The defence ministry said that 'heavy clashes' were reported in the Mullaitivu suburbs, with LTTE cadres making 'desperate attempts to defend their main military bastion'. The 59 Division soldiers were in the process of dominating Mulliyawalai, Thanniyattu and Chilawatte areas.

The Sri Lankan government is determined to capture the rebel-held districts of Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi and its troops are reportedly on the outskirts of Kilinochchi town, 350 km north of here.

Despite shrinking territories, the LTTE has been putting up heavy resistance against troops, slowing down the military progress.

The LTTE has been fighting against the Sri Lankan government for a quarter century to carve out a separate state for Tamils in the northern and eastern parts of the island. Thousands have died in escalating fighting since late 2005.