Over 36,000 hostages rescued; troops enter LTTE's last hideout

Sri Lankan soldiers have reached the concluding phase of their humanitarian operation in the Island's northeast as they rescued over 36,000 civilians from LTTE hold during last 24 hours.

According to the battlefield sources, Army 58, 53 and 59 Division soldiers have entered into the area where LTTE leaders have been cowering among the civilians during last couple of weeks. Soldiers are now looking for sick and disabled people that may be left in the area as almost all the others held at hostage by the terrorists have been rescued.

Meanwhile, LTTE made an abortive attempt to breach the Army defence line on the Western bank of the Nanthikadal lagoon during the wee hours today (May 17). The LTTE cadres launched a surface attack across the Nanthikadal lagoon using several boats between 1.30 AM to 3.30 AM. According to the latest information, troops have been able to crush the LTTE attack causing heavy damages to the terrorists.

Troops have so far collected over 70 bodies of LTTE cadres.