This series of events turned the tide of the battle of Thoppogala against the LTTE. The fierce battle North of Narakamulla, in the Thoppigala area on 6 July 2007 morning, killed 6 Sri Lankan army personnel including an officer called Colonel Samantha Ranathunga, and injured 7, due to heavy mortar fire by the LTTE. The Sri Lankan military retaliated with artillery and aerial bombardment to control the situation. After 13 years, the Sri Lankan military captured the final stronghold of LTTE in the East, Thoppigala (Baron's Cap), on the morning of 11 July 2007, nearly after a year of military action. According to the country's military history, the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), with around 20,000 soldiers attacked this area in the year 1988 but failed to capture the area (at that time LTTE was led by Colonel Karuna). In 1994 the SLA withdrew their military bases from this area. The entire Eastern Province was captured by the Sri Lankan military following the capture of Thoppigala. The military launched a campaign with focusing on the aim of capturing the Northern Province after the Eastern Province was captured. Demining operations were carried out with the aid of foreign governments and Non-governmental organizations, and are currently in their final phases.