Lanka bombs Prabhakaran hideouts

Colombo: Sri Lankan jets Saturday 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 LTTE.The bombing raids were carried out to support 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 bastion."The 59 Division was 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.