Troops at captured Akkarayankulam earth bund
Continuing their forward march, between the period from 20th October and 5th November 2008 the 57 Division fought a fierce battle with terrorists to capture the earth bund between Akkarayankulam Village and the Kokavil -Nachchikuda access. The Battalion lost 8 other rankers while 14 other rankers received injuries. The casualty figure of terrorists was reported as 31 killed and 47 critically wounded.
Placed under command to the 571 Brigade, between the period from 13th to 20th November 2008, troops of the Battalion successfully captured a 900m long stretch of the tank bund that was strongly defended by the terrorists. The Battalion lost (killed) an officer and 5 other rankers. The casualty figures of the terrorists was reported to be 55 killed and 18 injured.
A 10-12 foot high earth bund with strongly constructed bunkers built into the bund laid across the path of the troops advancing towards Kilinochchi. Close observation of the bund revealed the presence of terrorist cadres at the foot of the bund ready to explode booby traps and other explosive devices aimed at destroying the advancing troops. However, troops of the Battalion, launching an attack on the bund between 16th and 24th December 2008, succeeded in capturing same. The fierce battle resulted in 38 other rankers being killed and 13 officers and 182 other rankers wounded. 2 other rankers were also reported as missing in action.
Under command to 571 Brigade, troops of the Battalion were part of the operation aimed at capturing the Kilinochchi Town from 25th December 2008 to 1st January 2009. Attempts by the terrorists to halt the advancing Army by laying earth bunds inAkkarayankulam and Adampanwere proven to be of no challenge to the Army as the Kilinochchi Town was captured by the Army. The Battalion lost (killed) 2 other ranks while 10 other ranks received injuries. Terrorist casualties were reported to be 6 killed.
Troops with their Battalion Flag on a building in the recaptured Kilinochchi Town
The Old Kandy Road wasthe main supply route of terrorists and capturing it was vital for the final outcome of the operation. Terrorist equally determined to not lose control of it fiercely resisted the advancing troops of the 572 Brigade. Continuously being on the offensive from 3rd January to 18th January 2009, the troops succeeded in taking control of the road. The Battalion lost (killed) one other ranker while another 11 other rankers received injuries. Troops on the field reported that 12 terrorists had been killed.
The task of capturingKalmadukulamAruwas expected to be a difficult one as the target was placed in open ground with little or no cover available for the troops. However, between the period from 20th January to 2nd February 2009, the troops of the Battalion placed under command to the 572 Brigade overcame mines, booby traps and heavy enemy fire directed at them while advancing towards the target. The blasting of the tank (wewa) bund by the terrorist to halt the advancing troops was successfully negotiated by the troops who captured KalmadukulamAru. The Battalion lost (killed) 6 other rankers while 34 other rankers received injuries.
The terrorist in their desperate attempts to hold on to ground adhered to taking whatever action possible to prevent the advancing troops entering and taking control of the area. Having reached the doorstep of Vishvamadu careful planning was made to attack and take control of the area. Troops engaged in the operation during the period from 6th to 23rd February 2009 overcoming resistance of the enemy successfully captured the area.
Troops at the school and the LTTE cemetery in recaptured Vishwamadu
