Feb 20, Colombo: Sri Lankan troops have repulsed an LTTE attempt to re-capture Sirikulam area in the north of Giant Tank in Mannar in the early hours of today, the military said.

“The terrorist fire using artillery and mortars went pouring on captured Sirikulam area just past last midnight with a large number of terrorists participating in the attack against the troops,” a military official said.

Exact extent of the LTTE damages and casualties are yet to be ascertained. It is believed at least 35 – 40 terrorists have been either injured or killed in the pre-dawn attack in Mannar.

Five soldiers injured in the fight were evacuated to hospital for treatment.