Pooneryn was the last major LTTE naval point on the western coastal belt, from where the terrorists in the past have used their long-range artillery and mortar guns to fire at military targets.

The area has been used as a hub for sea tiger activities in the Kilali and Muhamalai areas.

According to defense experts Pooneryn is strategically more important than Killinochchi, which only carries a symbolic value.

Troops belonging to the Army’s Task Force 1, entered and captured the LTTE’s most important stronghold Pooneryn after months of heavy fighting this morning (15th), scoring the most important strategic victory so far in the humanitarian mission to liberate the Wanni from the clutches of the terrorists, defence sources announced.

Infantrymen of the 12 Gamunu Watch (12 GW) and the 10 Gajaba Regiment (10 GR) had successfully negotiated the great marshlands south of Pooneryn last night and cut off the Pooneryn-Paranthan road (B-69) close to Nallur before dawn today, according to defence sources.

Troops then marched about 10 Km along the B-69 and entered the Pooneryn town.

According to the defence sources on the field, the terrorists had given a stiff resistance to the advancing troops but are not fast withdrawing towards ‘K-Point’.