* Battle lines drawn 2 km from the town
* Deputy leader of Sea Tigers killed in a LRRP mission says Army
By Ranga Jayasuriya
Battle lines have been drawn up two kilometers south west of the city limits of Kilinochchi; the core of the LTTE’s fighting formations, the Charles Anthony regiment is deployed to halt advancing troops. Tigers are bracing for the last ditch battle to save the administrative headquarters of the de-facto Tamil Eelam and are offering stiff resistance within the city limits of Kilinochchi.
Once a bustling town, Kilinochchi has been deserted and civilians are fleeing to Pudikudirippu, Mulliyaveli and Darmapuram deep inside Tiger territory. The Government Agent of Kilinochchi relocated his offices to Darmapuram. Last week, the Kilinochchi hospital was shifted from the town, yet, the Intensive Care Unit, Surgery Unit and Maternity Ward continued to function in the old buildings as the fighting raged in close proximity.
Rationale
It is comprehensible that the two key accident service units were not relocated. Understandably, the hospital is treating the battle wounded of the LTTE. The rationale of running the maternity unit from the hospital is open to question, though its basis as a publicity stunt aimed to generate sympathy, could not be dismissed.
The military is at the gates of Kilinochchi; some units of the army’s 572 Division are operating within 1 1/2 km within the city limits.
Throughout last week, fighting flared up in the East and West Akkarayankulam, where the Tigers have built an earth bund to halt the advancing troops. Last week, troops attached to the 57 Division fought pitched battles along this earth bund, which stands as the main obstacle to the advancing troops.
The 57 Division is spearheading the military push into the Tiger held town; it has advanced 60 km deep into Tiger territory from their original defence lines, which ran parallel to the Mannar-Vavuniya Road.
The 571 Brigade is operating in the west of Akkarayankulam.
The 574 and 573 Brigades are holding ground from Mankulam to Murukandi, thereby defending the right flank of the security forces. On Friday, they ambushed a group of LTTE cadres in the north west of Mankulam.
Five LTTE cadres were killed in the ambush, army said. These reports could not be independently verified.
Early last week, soldiers attached to the 8 Ceylon Light Infantry Battalion captured a stretch of the earth bund running from east to the west of Akkarayankulam.
Yesterday, fresh fighting broke up in the general area of Akkarayankulam. No reports of casualties were available as this edition went to press.
Trench defence has been the strategy of the LTTE against the advancing security forces during the past few months. Initially, Tigers built the first major trench in Viduthalthivu, within the Mannar Rice Bowl itself to defend the sea Tiger base located there.
Obstacle
Another major earth bund had been built linking Nachchikuda and Akkarayankulam. That remains as the main obstacle for the 57 Division and 58 Division. The latter military division was formed as the Task Force 1, and initially assigned to capture the Rice Bowl area. Two divisions succeeded in breaching this trench line from several locations. However, the LTTE continued to put fierce resistance from the defended localities in the trench line in Nachchikuda.
Now, another trench has been built by the Tigers, linking Akkarayankulam and Kilinochchi, with its primary objective being to halt the advance of the 57 Division to Kilinochchi. This trench line was attacked by air force and Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers while it was under construction. Yet, reports say, a trench line running from east to west Akkarayankulam, at length of 10 km, had been built.
Trench warfare has, however, been largely futile in the face of the army’s bunker buster teams of Commandos and Special Infantry Operation teams. These teams armed with Light Anti Tank Weapons (LAW), Wire guided missiles, Rocket Propel Grenades, MPMG and LMGs have been successful in raiding the trench lines of the LTTE. But, the strategy succeeded in delaying the advance, however at a considerable cost to their fighters. LTTE’s opting into trench warfare as a defensive strategy, also played into the hands of the security forces, whose strategy was the attrition of the Tiger cadres through sustained limited offensives. The absence of a major counter offensive in the Wanni front in recent months speaks for itself of the success of the military strategy.
Though the LTTE carried out a fierce counter attack in Akkarayankulam, killing over 50 soldiers last month that was intended to regain a part of the trench line captured by the security force. Whereas the Tiger cadres have carried out repeated counter attacks during the previous military operations with Operation Jayasekara being one such example.
Another reason which prevented the Tigers from launching a major counter attack was that the military strategy was operating on multiple fronts, thereby stretching out manpower of the LTTE. This has been in stark contrast to previous military operations when an entire military division advanced in columns, exposing itself to artillery and mortar fire of the LTTE. The LTTE also succeeded in attacking the advancing troops using classic defence indepth strategy. However, such advantages have been mitigated due to the shift in the strategy in the recent military operations, which have heavily relied on specialized small team operations and extensive Long Range Reconnaissance Missions. LRRP missions succeeded, not only in sabotaging the administrative activities of the LTTE, but also providing real time human intelligence on the Tiger build up.
Chelian killed
According to latest reports from military intelligence sources, the deputy leader of the sea Tigers, Chelian has been killed in a claymore mine explosion carried out by the LRRP commandos in Chalai, Mullaitivu, and yesterday. Chelian commanded the sea Tigers in the absence of Soosai, who himself narrowly survived in a mysterious explosion in Chalai. Soosai’s son was killed in that explosion. According to military intelligence sources, who have been monitoring the developments following the explosions, Chelian and two others had been killed in the blast.
Earlier, a senior leader of LTTE’s Ratha Regiment identified as Lt Colonel Ilamparithi was killed in a LRRP mission carried out by the Army Special Forces. Ilamparithi is believed to be a leader of a Reconnaissance team of the LTTE which had been assigned to carry out deep penetration attacks on the rear defences of the forces operating the Weli Oya front.
On the Mannar front, fierce battle broke up in Nachchikudah as the 58 Division is pushing further into Poonereyn. On Friday, air force fighter jets raided LTTE positions to support advancing troops. Fighter jets bombed a gathering of LTTE cadres 12 km northeast of Nachchikudah. The air force said these cadres had been dispatched as reinforcement to Nachchikudah.
SLAF also carried out several air strikes based on ground intelligence provided by the security forces. Targets included what was identified as a communication centre located 3 km north of Paranthan, a hideout of Prabhakaran located 2km northeast of Kilinochchi town and a black Tiger camp located 1.5 km west of Paranthan.
The regular air strikes have caused a system paralysis within the LTTE’s command and control structure. Last week, LTTE’s civil administrative infrastructures such as the police headquarters of the Tamil Eelam police, Peace Secretariat, Political Office came under air attacks. In the same week, the military headquarters of the LTTE were targeted. However, the LTTE had shown a greater deal of survivability against air power as against previous Tiger operations when the Tigers succeeded in evading air strikes by scattering their cadres and resources. However, the impact of regular air strikes on the LTTE could not be dismissed.
The fall of Kilinochchi is imminent; however, as recent developments indicate the LTTE is not prepared to let the government to claim victory unscathed. The classic strategy of the Tigers aims to erode the will of its enemy to fight. The latest suicide attacks in the South are testing the government’s political will. How many suicide blasts could the Southern electorate withstand will determine the government’s will to fight on.
Source
* Deputy leader of Sea Tigers killed in a LRRP mission says Army
By Ranga Jayasuriya
Battle lines have been drawn up two kilometers south west of the city limits of Kilinochchi; the core of the LTTE’s fighting formations, the Charles Anthony regiment is deployed to halt advancing troops. Tigers are bracing for the last ditch battle to save the administrative headquarters of the de-facto Tamil Eelam and are offering stiff resistance within the city limits of Kilinochchi.
Once a bustling town, Kilinochchi has been deserted and civilians are fleeing to Pudikudirippu, Mulliyaveli and Darmapuram deep inside Tiger territory. The Government Agent of Kilinochchi relocated his offices to Darmapuram. Last week, the Kilinochchi hospital was shifted from the town, yet, the Intensive Care Unit, Surgery Unit and Maternity Ward continued to function in the old buildings as the fighting raged in close proximity.
Rationale
It is comprehensible that the two key accident service units were not relocated. Understandably, the hospital is treating the battle wounded of the LTTE. The rationale of running the maternity unit from the hospital is open to question, though its basis as a publicity stunt aimed to generate sympathy, could not be dismissed.
The military is at the gates of Kilinochchi; some units of the army’s 572 Division are operating within 1 1/2 km within the city limits.
Throughout last week, fighting flared up in the East and West Akkarayankulam, where the Tigers have built an earth bund to halt the advancing troops. Last week, troops attached to the 57 Division fought pitched battles along this earth bund, which stands as the main obstacle to the advancing troops.
The 57 Division is spearheading the military push into the Tiger held town; it has advanced 60 km deep into Tiger territory from their original defence lines, which ran parallel to the Mannar-Vavuniya Road.
The 571 Brigade is operating in the west of Akkarayankulam.
The 574 and 573 Brigades are holding ground from Mankulam to Murukandi, thereby defending the right flank of the security forces. On Friday, they ambushed a group of LTTE cadres in the north west of Mankulam.
Five LTTE cadres were killed in the ambush, army said. These reports could not be independently verified.
Early last week, soldiers attached to the 8 Ceylon Light Infantry Battalion captured a stretch of the earth bund running from east to the west of Akkarayankulam.
Yesterday, fresh fighting broke up in the general area of Akkarayankulam. No reports of casualties were available as this edition went to press.
Trench defence has been the strategy of the LTTE against the advancing security forces during the past few months. Initially, Tigers built the first major trench in Viduthalthivu, within the Mannar Rice Bowl itself to defend the sea Tiger base located there.
Obstacle
Another major earth bund had been built linking Nachchikuda and Akkarayankulam. That remains as the main obstacle for the 57 Division and 58 Division. The latter military division was formed as the Task Force 1, and initially assigned to capture the Rice Bowl area. Two divisions succeeded in breaching this trench line from several locations. However, the LTTE continued to put fierce resistance from the defended localities in the trench line in Nachchikuda.
Now, another trench has been built by the Tigers, linking Akkarayankulam and Kilinochchi, with its primary objective being to halt the advance of the 57 Division to Kilinochchi. This trench line was attacked by air force and Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers while it was under construction. Yet, reports say, a trench line running from east to west Akkarayankulam, at length of 10 km, had been built.
Trench warfare has, however, been largely futile in the face of the army’s bunker buster teams of Commandos and Special Infantry Operation teams. These teams armed with Light Anti Tank Weapons (LAW), Wire guided missiles, Rocket Propel Grenades, MPMG and LMGs have been successful in raiding the trench lines of the LTTE. But, the strategy succeeded in delaying the advance, however at a considerable cost to their fighters. LTTE’s opting into trench warfare as a defensive strategy, also played into the hands of the security forces, whose strategy was the attrition of the Tiger cadres through sustained limited offensives. The absence of a major counter offensive in the Wanni front in recent months speaks for itself of the success of the military strategy.
Though the LTTE carried out a fierce counter attack in Akkarayankulam, killing over 50 soldiers last month that was intended to regain a part of the trench line captured by the security force. Whereas the Tiger cadres have carried out repeated counter attacks during the previous military operations with Operation Jayasekara being one such example.
Another reason which prevented the Tigers from launching a major counter attack was that the military strategy was operating on multiple fronts, thereby stretching out manpower of the LTTE. This has been in stark contrast to previous military operations when an entire military division advanced in columns, exposing itself to artillery and mortar fire of the LTTE. The LTTE also succeeded in attacking the advancing troops using classic defence indepth strategy. However, such advantages have been mitigated due to the shift in the strategy in the recent military operations, which have heavily relied on specialized small team operations and extensive Long Range Reconnaissance Missions. LRRP missions succeeded, not only in sabotaging the administrative activities of the LTTE, but also providing real time human intelligence on the Tiger build up.
Chelian killed
According to latest reports from military intelligence sources, the deputy leader of the sea Tigers, Chelian has been killed in a claymore mine explosion carried out by the LRRP commandos in Chalai, Mullaitivu, and yesterday. Chelian commanded the sea Tigers in the absence of Soosai, who himself narrowly survived in a mysterious explosion in Chalai. Soosai’s son was killed in that explosion. According to military intelligence sources, who have been monitoring the developments following the explosions, Chelian and two others had been killed in the blast.
Earlier, a senior leader of LTTE’s Ratha Regiment identified as Lt Colonel Ilamparithi was killed in a LRRP mission carried out by the Army Special Forces. Ilamparithi is believed to be a leader of a Reconnaissance team of the LTTE which had been assigned to carry out deep penetration attacks on the rear defences of the forces operating the Weli Oya front.
On the Mannar front, fierce battle broke up in Nachchikudah as the 58 Division is pushing further into Poonereyn. On Friday, air force fighter jets raided LTTE positions to support advancing troops. Fighter jets bombed a gathering of LTTE cadres 12 km northeast of Nachchikudah. The air force said these cadres had been dispatched as reinforcement to Nachchikudah.
SLAF also carried out several air strikes based on ground intelligence provided by the security forces. Targets included what was identified as a communication centre located 3 km north of Paranthan, a hideout of Prabhakaran located 2km northeast of Kilinochchi town and a black Tiger camp located 1.5 km west of Paranthan.
The regular air strikes have caused a system paralysis within the LTTE’s command and control structure. Last week, LTTE’s civil administrative infrastructures such as the police headquarters of the Tamil Eelam police, Peace Secretariat, Political Office came under air attacks. In the same week, the military headquarters of the LTTE were targeted. However, the LTTE had shown a greater deal of survivability against air power as against previous Tiger operations when the Tigers succeeded in evading air strikes by scattering their cadres and resources. However, the impact of regular air strikes on the LTTE could not be dismissed.
The fall of Kilinochchi is imminent; however, as recent developments indicate the LTTE is not prepared to let the government to claim victory unscathed. The classic strategy of the Tigers aims to erode the will of its enemy to fight. The latest suicide attacks in the South are testing the government’s political will. How many suicide blasts could the Southern electorate withstand will determine the government’s will to fight on.
Source
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