MI 24 helicopter gunships and Kfir fighter crafts pounded bombs on areas to the south-west and east of Mankulam causing heavy casualties to the terrorists. The exact figures of losses suffered by the terrorists were not immediately known though LTTE transmissions monitored by the troops had called for reinforcements to the battle front. According to information received a front-ranking LTTE cadre was among the dead. Meanwhile, security forces were able to repulse with mortars and artillery a terrorist attack against soldiers who were at the Forward Defence Lines north of Kuruppaddamuippu. In another incident south-east of Mankulam, terrorists fired small arms at troops who retaliated with mortars and small arms.
Troops continue to dominate areas ahead of defence.
Meanwhile, on Thursday around 6 am STF troops detected an explosive device fixed on to an electric transformer at Karathivu in Batticaloa District. It was later defused by the troops.