May 06, Colombo: Sri Lankan troops engaged in an offensive operation in the Vavuniya front captured the Palampiddi Bridge in the LTTE stronghold of Palampiddi following a fierce gun battle this afternoon, Defense Ministry reported.

Providing support to the ground troops Air Force fighter jets struck an LTTE target located 1km north of Palampiddi junction in the same area this afternoon around 3.40 pm.

Citing intercepted LTTE communications, defense sources said the Tigers suffered heavy casualties.

In separate clashes in the battlefronts of Vavuniya, Mannar and Welioya 17 Tigers and two soldiers were killed yesterday (05), according to the defense reports.