A military spokesman attributed the slow progress in the advance to the area being heavily mined and booby trapped. Last morning, troops commenced clearing terrorist pockets amidst enemy fire, yesterday. Thirty-eight more Government troops were killed last evening making a total of two officers and 68 other ranks dead. I' commenced in the Jaffna Peninsula at 5.30 a.m. on Wednesday. The operation's first phase, which began from Eluthmadduval towards Pallai, was completed by 2.30 p.m. leaving 75 terrorists dead and 300 injured.
Ground troops estimate the number of terrorists killed is much higher.
Troops advanced approximately two kilometres from the original Muhamalai Defence Line and Eluthmadduval.