26 April,2009 01:56 PM IST | | PTI
Making a final push to overrun the last patch of LTTE-held territory, Sri Lankan forces on Sunday captured strategic Vlayarmadam area and encircled remaining six sq km strip of land which is the possible hideout of LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and his top aides.
"Sri Lankan soldiers have liberated Valayarmadam area and so far rescued 500 civilians held hostage by LTTE from there," the defence ministry said today.
According to the defence sources, Army Commandos and Special Forces soldiers backed by infantrymen of 10 Sri Lanka Light Infantry and 12 Gemunu Watch last evening entered into Valayarmadam area, located just six km from Vellamullivaikkal, the last remaining LTTE hideout.
"Troops declared the area fully secured this morning," the ministry said. Meanwhile, LTTE's political head B Nadesan has denied the charges that his group was forcibly recruiting children as fighters to confront the government forces.
"LTTE political head B Nadesan has categorically denied recruitment and arming children as young as 12 to fight alongside the Tigers as alleged by news reports citing the UN," the pro-rebel Tamilnet website said.
The UN Colombo office accusation coincides with the visit of the Emergency Relief Coordinator of the UN and Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes.
Holmes is on a three-day visit to the island to discuss humanitarian situation in the war zone. Meanwhile, the army rescued 586 more civilians in the no-fire zone yesterday, the military said.
"The 586 civilians exited from the grip of LTTE terrorism and escaped into the troop-held areas in Puthumathalam," the army said.
Meanwhile, four persons were shot dead by suspected LTTE gunmen in the Eastern Trincomalee last night, the ministry said, adding police are conducting investigations.
Troops also clashed with groups of LTTE cadres, still fighting using Tamil civilians as human shield, in general area east of Puthukudiirippu yesterday, military report said.
During the fighting LTTE rebels suffered considerable damages, defence sources said, adding troops also suffered minor injuries during the confrontations. A T-56 weapon was found during subsequent search operation conducted in the area, the report added.
