Sept 02, Colombo: Backed by armour and artillery, Sri Lankan troops of Army's 57 division have gained control over more than three-fourth of the LTTE's nerve center, Mallavi, in Mullaitivu District by yesterday evening, the Defense Ministry announced today.

Meanwhile Air Force provided support to the ground troops by raiding an LTTE mortar storing facility located 2 km north of Nachchikudha this morning.

Battles raged on the ground as troops moved forward ahead of frontlines across the northern region killing 43 Tigers and losing 3 soldiers. Another 50 Tiger rebels and 11 soldiers were injured.

Heavy fighting on the ground and air raids on Tiger bunkers in Nachchikudha killed 26 rebels and wounded 18. Two soldiers also died and another 8 were injured.

Seventeen Tigers were killed and 32 more were injured in confrontations between the troops and the Tiger rebels elsewhere in the region.

Recently the Sri Lankan troops have gained control over a vast area of the land previously held by the Tigers.

Encouraged by the recent battlefield successes the Army has breached the LTTE heartland in Kilinochchi and poised to attack the de-facto capital of the Tigers.