The Defence Ministry say 53 soldiers died and 411 were wounded, 92 of them seriously. The LTTE claim that only 27 cadre died in the battle. Analysts say the LTTE have returned to conventional resistance after ten months. The Tigers were engaged in recruitment during this period and are said to have acquired substantial quantities of military hardware.
On 14 September the Army began Operation Rela Pahara (Wave Assault) east and west of Paranthan, three miles north of Kilinochchi. Eleven Tigers are reported killed in the operation. On 16 September, 11 soldiers were killed and 20 wounded in a Tiger landmine attack at Thatchanamaruthamadam, further south.
Thousands of refugees want to leave the Vanni because of continuing military operations and lack of food and shelter. Sources say that the failure of the Maha cultivation due to drought will make the situation worse. Many people are fleeing by boats to Jaffna from the western coast and some to the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. A boat carrying Tamil refugees capsized in the Palk Strait on 22 September. Twelve bodies washed ashore at Nainativu and Punkudutivu islands, west of Jaffna.
Following a visit to the Vanni, Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph described to the Health minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, the conditions of the people and the appalling state of health facilities. The minister promised to send more ambulances to the Vanni, if the Defence Ministry permitted. Reports say North-East Governor Asoka Jayawardena has ordered funds allocated for the development of LTTE-controlled Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts to be transferred to Jaffna District.