Colombo: The Sri Lankan Air Force yesterday carried out "a string of air strikes targeting LTTE battlefield fortifications" as advancing ground troops have been locked in pitched battles with Tamil Tigers on the outskirts of Kilinochchi, the rebels' political power centre, during the past couple of days.
Air force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said the fighter jets had completed "six successful air raids" against targets of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), located south of Kilinochchi and west of Paranthan.
"These air raids were conducted from the morning (yesterday) in support of the advancing ground troops," he said.
Fresh air raids have come at a time when the troops advancing in several directions were said to be operating on the outskirts of Kilinochchi town, 350 km north of here.
The defence ministry said yesterday that the ground troops "are steadily approaching Kilinochchi from the west and the south", after having captured Thursday yet another rebel stronghold of Thirumurikandy, located a few kilometers south of Kilinochchi.
"Heavy clashes prevailed in the area during the last couple of days as the terrorists gave heavy resistance to the soldiers marching in," the ministry said.
