Jan 04, Colombo: Sri Lankan troops continuing their advance to the last remaining rebel stronghold in the Northeast entered a key town en route to Mullaitivu this afternoon amid heavy fighting while another formation of troops are within 'sniffing distance' of Elephant Pass, the military said.

According to defence sources following day-long fighting in the area with the rebels, troops of Task Force-4 entered the strategic Oddusudan Township along the A-34 Mankulama- Mullaitivu main road by this afternoon.

The town is a vital key point for the rebels as they use the location for their administrative and logistic purposes since it has direct route access towards Mullaitivu and other towns along the main road.

Troops are currently consolidating operations in north and west of Oddusudan, defence sources said.

Troops of 59 Division meanwhile had several confrontations through out the day today with the Tigers while engaged in consolidating operations to extend their defence line, the military said. Troops found 12 bodies of slain rebels, it added.

Air Force MI 24 helicopter gunships raided LTTE defences today in support of the ground troops advancing in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi fronts while fighter jets raided LTTE defences in northeast of Oddusudan in Mullaitivu front and 2 km south of Elephant Pass in Kilinochchi front.

Helicopter gunships also strafed LTTE 'gathering places' in northeast of Kilinochchi and east of Paranthan this afternoon, Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.

Fighter jets carried out more sorties today targeting LTTE locations in east of Paranthan and Elephant Pass area.

The military said the troops of Task Force – 1 are within the 'sniffing distance' of Elephant Pass. Capture of the vital gateway town to the Jaffna Peninsula will open up a land route to the peninsula.

Meanwhile Tiger rebels claimed they have killed 43 soldiers, an account Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara denied.