Sri Lanka War News Updates -- February 3, 2009

Sri Lanka Defence Ministry-issued photo said to show government troops following the capture of Elephant Pass in the north of the island state. The Sri Lankan army has said Tuesday it had captured an elaborate underground bunker complex believed to have been the home of the leader of the Tamil Tiger rebels.(AFP/HO/Defence Ministry/File/Ho)

Troops Step Up All-Out Assault,
LTTE Airstrip Captured: Army -- NDTV

Sri Lankan troops stepped up their all-out assault on the retreating LTTE as the army captured last of several jungle airstrips used by the guerrillas, who lost at least 12 fighters in the fierce clashes, the defence ministry said on Tuesday.

The seventh and apparently the last LTTE runway located in north-east of Piramantharukulam in Puthukudirippu, Mullaittivu, was captured today, the army said.

It said the airstrip was brought under the control by the 58 Division troops commanded by Brigadier Shavindra Silva. Amid heavy fighting over the last few weeks, the troops have seized six runways used by the air wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

However, they are yet to come across any of the Czech-made Zlin-143 single-engine planes believed to be used by the LTTE Meanwhile, in ground clashes, troops inflicted heavy damages on the LTTE in Puthukudirruppu in Mullaittivu, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said.

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More News On The Sri Lanka Civil War

Sri Lanka takes Tiger chief's bunker: army -- Yahoo News/AFP
Sri Lanka Tells Civilians to Evacuate to Safe Areas -- Voice Of America
Sri Lanka's rebels, suicide bombing pioneers, are in retreat -- McClatchy Newspapers
Sri Lanka hospital shelled for fourth time -- CNN
Sri Lanka: Fears Grow for Trapped Civilians -- The Times
Children's Hospital Shelled in Sri Lanka -- Daily Telegraph
Sri Lanka's Tamils face hard future -- Yahoo News/AFP
Sri Lankan Air focre on high alert to prevent any LTTE air attack -- Press TV
Sri Lanka journalists 'risk death' -- BBC