Nov 20, Colombo: Sri Lanka military said its troops advancing southwards from Jaffna despite heavy enemy resistance breached the LTTE's first Forward Defence Line (FDL) in Muhamalai and Kilaly this morning.

In a new offensive that began last Saturday (15) troops of 53 and 55 Divisions overran the strategically important defense line in Muhamalai and Kilaly in a fierce gun battle inflicting heavy casualties on the rebels, Defense Ministry reported.

Defense sources said the Tigers have constructed an earth bund just ahead of their frontline from Nagarkovil to Kilaly across the narrow land strip connecting the Jaffna peninsula to the mainland.

Government artillery attacks destroyed two LTTE mortar launchers and partially damaged another two while troops also targeted LTTE vehicles carrying reinforcement, sources added.

Tamil Tiger rebels yesterday claimed they resisted a military push along their Muhamalai defences and pushed back the government troops killing 36 soldiers and injuring another 90.