One of the most central intersection of the A-9 and the well-known strategic township, PARANTHAN, about 4.5 km north of KILINOCHCHI, was blocked by the Army from north of A-9 Wednesday (31) evening, shattering even final bits of the “Eelam Dream” of the LTTE terrorists, the Army Headquarters declared.

Entry of the troop to PARANTHAN, blocks access route to ELEPHANT PASS, about 9 km to the north in the JAFFNA bottleneck. The same route remains exposed to the Security Forces. This also makes LTTE’s fantasy capitol of Eelam KILINOCHCHI, more vulnerable.

Troops of the Task Force-I commanded by Brigadier SHAVINDRA SILVA entered the PARANTHAN town which once remained an important economic centre with a large factory which produced chemicals for local industries. Before the LTTE dominated, a large number of inhabitants in the area made their living working in the factory.

During confrontations in PARANTHAN troops killed over twenty-five terrorists and recovered three dead bodies, four weapons and hand grenades.

PARANTHAN connects four important locations, KILINOCHCHI to the south, POONARYN to the west, MUULLAITTIVU to the east and ELEPHANT PASS, gateway to JAFFNA to the north.

After the LTTE demolished civil administration in the area in early 1990s, Army liberated it from the LTTE grip in “Sathjaya” operation conducted in 1996. However, troops had to make their withdrawal in September 1998.

Entry to PARANTHAN enables the troops to encircle KILINOCHCHI from three directions, north, west and south, giving further enormous pressure on Tiger terrorists.

The Task Force-I troops have commence further expansion in order to capture rest of the PARANTHAN township.