Air Force claims one Tiger aircraft downed
Vavuniya air and ground clashes result in 24 deaths
The Air Force claimed it had shot down one of the three LTTE light aircraft over the Mullaitivu area yesterday minutes after the Tigers launched a pre-dawn combined air and ground attack on the Vavuniya Security Forces joint operations complex targeting a key radar tower.
More than three hour long confrontation resulted in at least 24 deaths including twelve soldiers, a policeman and a civilian. The military said the 10 LTTE cadres who launched the ground attack on the base were also killed. “We were able to bring down one of the three aircraft of the LTTE, marking a historical day for the air force,” Air Force Spokesman Janaka Nanayakkara told the media.
He said the pilots of F-7 fighter jets which took off from the Katunayake military air port confirmed that one of the two rebel light air craft, that took part in the attack on the military base in Vavuniya, was destroyed. “We can confirm it now,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Tamilnet website reporting on the raid said there “was no indication of any aircraft coming down, according to civilian sources. The Black Tiger commandos entered the base, making use of the time, and engaged in ‘calculated destruction’ to the facilities inside the Wanni Security Forces Headquarters.”
Meanwhile, military Spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said Army and Air Force personnel jointly repulsed the Tiger attack. “The Pre - dawn LTTE attempt with twin goals of ground and aerial attacks on the Wanni Security Forces Headquarters Complex in Vavuniya was effectively resisted and countered after gunning down at least ten Tiger terrorists on the terrorist mission,” he said.
“More than 70 artillery rounds had been fired by the rebels into the camp,” he said.
Several houses in the Thekkawatta area were also damaged due to the LTTE artillery fire.
He said around 2.50 am, the LTTE stormed the Wanni Security Forces Headquarters Complex, covering the Sri Lanka Air Force airfield, backed by a string of LTTE artillery fire from uncleared areas in North of Omanthai.
“Though we lost ten soldiers, a policeman and a civilian, the LTTE was unable to fulfill its main target which was to destroy the sophisticated Radar system set up inside the air force base” Brigadier Nanayakkara said.
When asked about reports that some foreigners were also injured during the attack, Government Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said there was no truth about it. “We have enough strength to deal with such kind of situation, so we no need foreigners for that.”
He also revealed the radar and other equipments were intact despite the attack. As the LTTE artillery rounds fell, two LTTE light air craft flew over the Wanni Security Forces Headquarters complex and started dropping two bombs at about 3.30 a.m. Those bombs fell on the officers’ mess area and another office complex in the Area Headquarters.
Fifteen Soldiers, seven airmen, nine Police Constables and one civilian were injured as a result of exchange of heavy fire.
During the clearing operations the military recovered ten LTTE bodies, including five female cadres, along with small arms, communication sets and Rocket Propeller Guns (RPGs) and three suicide kits.
Following the attack, the Vavuniya town became virtually desert as the security forces continued to search the area.
Hours after the LTTE’s pre-dawn attack fighter jets bombed an identified LTTE camp located two kilomtres South of Kanagarayankulama, East of A-9 trunk road, Vavuniya.
Wing Commander Nanayakkara, said that the sorties were made on accurate information received on intense terrorist activity in the area. “Heavy LTTE casualties are expected in the air strike,” he said.
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