The sooner the civilians get out of the fighting zones the better. Seven offensive formations from the army have encircled the area now under Tiger control that was estimated to be 365 sq. kms by January 22.By Thursday afternoon troops had reached the western outskirts of Visvamadhu. Only one other main town Puthukudiyirippu lies between Visvamadhu and Mullaithivu town."The 57 Division troops now closing in on the western perimeter of Mullaithivu amidst terrorist resistance expanded their Forward Defence Line (FDL) in Visvamadhu Thursday (22). Soldiers of the 574 Brigade commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Senaka Wijesoriya crossing the Netheli aru, the waterway starting from the Kalmadukulam tank, entered the western border of Visuamadhu."Advancing troops of the 574 Brigade received heavy gunfire from terrorists however it was countered and overpowered by the soldiers who entered the area north of Kalmadukulam tank. Fresh confrontations that erupted in Therappuram area between the 58 Division troops and terrorists eliminated a few more LTTE fighting cadres the same day morning. Later, the troops found two dead bodies of terrorists from the area," the Defence Ministry said.