Apr 30, Colombo: Sri Lanka Air Force struck LTTE heavy gun positions ahead of frontlines in Welioya this morning while ground troops capture an LTTE base north of Mannar forward defense lines today, the military said.

Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Andrew Wijesooriya said that air attacks were launched late morning targeting LTTE gun positions located 12 and 14 Kilometres north of the security forces Forward Defence Line (FDL) in Welioya front.

Later in the afternoon MI24 helicopter gun ships attacked an LTTE position 3.5km ahead of front line in Mannar, Wijesooriya added.

Earlier in the day Tigers have launched artillery sporadic attacks at the villages in Tissapura, Padaviya area injuring a 66 year old civilian, the authorities said.

Meanwhile advancing ground troops have captured an LTTE stronghold called "18 Base" (One-Eight Base) in Parayakulam, north of the Mannar front. The military puts the LTTE casualties at 40 while saying six soldiers have been injured during the operation