The Paranthan LTTE stronghold has been captured by the Task Force -1 troops early this morning (01), after many hours of bitter fighting between troops and LTTE. The fall of Paranthan marks the dominance of security forces at the township after a decade.The battle for Paranthan began in the early hours on Tuesday (30.12.2008) when the TF-1 armor, artillery and infantry battalions commenced launching a intensive assault on the town while Army forward domination elements took on the well fortified LTTE resistance positions during surprise maneuvers made behind enemy lines.Troops have also cutoff the vital access routes towards Paranthan along the A-9 road from North and South, killing many terrorists while injuring twice as many numbers during the intense battles.Paranthan is strategically located, approximately 4.5km North of Kilinochchi along the A-9 route and on the southern sector of Elephant Pass, another LTTE foothold, according to ground troops.Troops of the TF-1, commanded by Brigadier Shavendra Silva, entered the Paranthan built-up assisted with close combat air support of the SLAF jets and MI-24 helicopter gunships, Wednesday morning (Dec 31). LTTE resistances and counterattacks were outflanked by the intense military armour attacks and concentrated artillery and mortar fire, ground troops said. The fighting was fierce and prolonged for hours until terrorists were completely beaten by the determined soldiers.Unable to withstand the fury of the combined Army and Air force onslaught, LTTE terrorists withdrew from the town in total disarray. Having inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, troops are now consolidating defences and advancing further east of the Paranthan junction, security sources added.Fall of Paranthan would also open a gateway to the LTTE's remaining defences at Vaddakkachchi, and Puthukkudiyiruppu areas on the A-35 road (Paranthan- Mullaittivu). Muhamalai in the southern peninsular neck will also be untenable for the LTTE.