Sri Lankan authorities are barring journalists and humanitarian aid workers from areas where heavy fighting is taking place . Government troops took the area in a surprise attack early Sunday . The Tamil ##s gained control over Mullaittivu in 1996 . Earlier this month they regained control of key northern town of Elephant Pass . Tamils want independent state , war since 1996 has left more than 70,000 dead .
Government troops took the area in a surprise attack early Sunday . The Tamil ##s gained control over Mullaittivu in 1996 . Earlier this month they regained control of key northern town of Elephant Pass . Tamils want independent state , war since 1996 has left more than 70,000 dead .