Jan 05, Colombo: Sri Lankan troops advancing north have reached the southern outskirts of Elephant Pass today and took control over the villages along the lagoon after a series of heavy clashes with the rebels while Air Force fighter jets and MI-24 helicopter gunships struck LTTE gatherings this morning in the Mullaitivu area in support of advancing troops, the military said.

Troops of the Task Force-1 have captured the Kurinchattiv village located on the eastern bank of Jaffna lagoon and entered Thamilamadam area this afternoon, defence sources said.

The military said capture of Kurinchattiv gives the Army a huge tactical advantage as the village lies on a high ground enabling the troops to launch heavy gun attacks on the rebel fortifications in the Elephant Pass, Kilaly, Muhamalai, and Nagarkovil areas at all directions.

Troops moved eastwards from A-9 road and entered the fishing village of Thamilamadam located south of Jaffna lagoon in a very low-lying area.

Meanwhile troops of 57 Division, Task Force 3 and Task Force 4 cleared the main A -34 east-west road connecting Mullaitivu to the A-9 at Mankulam from Mankulam up to Tanniyattu on the east end.

Troops of Task Force 4 today completed mop up operations in the recently captured Oddusudan area.

The Defence Ministry quoting the Army chief, Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka said the LTTE is confined to an area less than 40 square kilometers. The area remained to be cleared is smaller than the Thoppigala Jungle in the Eastern province. Capture of Thoppigala Jungle was the last battle Army fought before liberating the entire region.

The military said yesterday that its forces are within the sniffing distance of Elephant Pass, the strategic entrance to the Jaffna peninsula.