Wednesday, March 5, 2008

5 LTTE cadres killed in Mi-24 attack : Mannar

LTTE positions north of Parappakandal, Mannar were attacked for the second time in two weeks by Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) helicopter gunships yesterday evening. Several Mi-24 gunships of the 9th attack helicopter squadron were used in the attack. According to available intelligence information, 5 LTTE cadres have perished in the incident. Exact details of the number of cadres wounded are unavailable as of now. Heavy fighting has been raging in the areas north of Parappakandal for the past month where the tigers are fiercely resisting an army advance towards Wanni heartland.

SLAF's fighter jets bombed an LTTE underground artillery storage located in Pooneryn twice yesterday afternoon. In a separate raid carried out yesterday morning, one of their artillery launching pads located in Kalmunai point was also targeted.

65 comments:

  1. I don't think this is a good idea. Onavarage 20+ tigers get killed daily, by SLA. What's the point using MI-24s ti kill caders in FDLs? It is costly and risky. If SLAF used MI-24s some purpose beyond the capabilty of SLA and to facilitate SLA it's ok.

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  2. ninja,

    LTTE hasn't proven to be able to bring down airplanes/copters, so why not use the advantage?

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  3. What is Teddy Bear Doing in the LTTE Bunker?

    http://tinyurl.com/2qrtob

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. Ninja-
    May be by launching MI-24's could get some troops movements to the next destination.
    Because LTTE would need to fight with MI-24's or look for safer place to hide.

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  6. Ninja, apart frm their firepower any type of aerial bombardment is a huge morale booster for ground forces. Words cannot describe the feeling of protection and awe you get when you see hinds fly over your heads to own the enemy lines. You gotta be in a battle to experience that. Plus has the complete opposite effects on ltte. But as you said its expensive.

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  7. DN-
    Going back to the Madu scenario, What would stop MI-24 getting closer to that location and attack LTTE or help troops to move closer ?
    I'm sure Madu church will be a bit booster for all.
    I'm sure it's easier me to say than done... However just trying to see the possibilities from discussion point.

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  8. Guys,

    Here is a scenario..

    LTTE must be regrouping to counter attack SLA in all Northern fronts..

    That way they expect to regain lost territory within several days just like they did at the end of the Jayasikuru...

    I think the status quo must be maintained expecting a SUPER MASSIVE tiger counter offensive on all fronts..

    This is the most likely scenario...
    If we can counter the LTTE'S next counter offensive, then we can ride on the back of that operation to inhialate the LTTE in Wanni...

    But we have to get this right otherwise everything will be lost.

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  9. Sorry out of topic.

    If Clinton wins the Democtatic presidential nominations, then there is a possibility Mccain will win the presidency.

    What do you think?

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  10. DN
    spot on... that's what i've heard from many front line troops i've met for many years...
    Everytime they see jets coming in and bombing the crap outta the tigers it gives the soldiers a huge morale booster...
    I think believing that you can win goes a long way into actually winning the thing...
    Wonder why these are not combined ops though...
    If Hinds and ground troops do a coordinated attack...the tigers will be too busy to fight either of them fully offering our guys that much more protection and advantage...
    Even for the tigers...don't think their low rankers would be all that happy to see low flying hinds marauding into their territories...

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  11. DN,

    According to some web news, few MIG29 are about to deliver to sri lanka from Russia (news was publish a month ago) any update on this, I hope that will do the job with more accuracy and efficiently if we get MIG29.

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  12. 104 soldiers killed last month - PM

    Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake informed Parliament today that 104 soldiers were killed and a further 822 injured during confrontations with the LTTE last month.

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  13. I have spoken to quite a number of LTTE fighters. They admitted that when the kfirs first started operating it was a bit of a shocker for them. It brought their morale to rock-bottom lows and they did not know how to counter them at all. With time, they got used to the kfirs and now actually have devised mothodologies to prevent or minimise damage. Apparently they were so used to the kfirs that even an element of complacency crept in to them in respect of the kfir attacks which ended with the loss of Brig. Thamilchelvan. The MI-24's have been in the scene for quite a long time and LTTE are relatively comfortable facing them although, as defence net rightly pointed out, it has double effects of boosting and denting the morales of the SLA and LTTE, respectively.
    A balancing act should be done between the real extent (Not the desired) of the effects of MI-24's and the costs involved. It appears to me that the SLF top brass have decided to flex their AF's muscle a bit more in an attempt to break this monotonous muddle they are now in.
    In my perspective, the incresed use of MI-24's is a sign of desperation. I have some rationale to back my contention too. Why did the SLF not use the MI-24's so far in this siege? Is it becasue it was far too expensive? Or,is it becasue it was kept as a last weapon to use if things get out of hands? Which ever the reason is, I am unable to see this sudden usage of MI-24's as something that was planned to be executed precisely at this point in time. I do, however, have a hunch that many in this forum would claim that it was so. After all, perspectives do differ....

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  14. "they got used to the kfirs and now actually have devised mothodologies to prevent or minimise damage"

    Yes, they get into a bunker and kiss their ass goodbye...

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  15. Sri Lanka's Army Offensives Erode Rebel Potency

    - Terrorism Analyst Rohan Gunaratna


    Bloomberg News

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  16. damn
    why can't folks understand a proper unfolding of a large battle plan :)
    The hinds were always going to be used but at the right time and at a time of our choosing...
    It would've been rather foolish to start off with hinds when ltte were in good spirits and in control of majority of their areas and bases etc...
    The use of hinds will further increase as larger battles will erupt in the coming weeks

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  17. Abarip, its not that hinds were brought in a hurry. They were used in 4th elam war frm mavil aru to national front but not frequently. Even in mannar theve been used twice in 2 weeks which is not that frequent. So its not a drastic change of strategy as you mentioned.

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  18. The MI-24s are obviously the force multiplier to break the current deadlock. LTTE are fighting for their survival hence we have to expect near suicidal attempts to keep the forces at bay. The added reason apparently this area is covered with paddy fields. Its known as the 'rice bowl' of Mannar. The only time forces make advances are at night when their positions are not exposed in wide open territory.

    I get the feeling the LTTE are adapting to heavy push by the army. Things have become so rhythmical, they can almost predict and effectively counter military maneuvers.

    How do we break the deadlock? Perhaps the clue lies in the final one-day against Australia were we won. The tail enders were getting accustomed to the pace attack so much so there was a chance the Ausies would creep back into the game. On the 45 over the Lankan captain did the unpredictable and sent Sanath Jayasuriya with his left arm unorthodox spin action. Sanath's first ball broke the deadlock taking the last wicket.

    This is what we need as well. We need to deceptively slow down the pace to break the rhythm and then strike a from an unpredictable angle. Mannar FDL runs for almost 130 Km to the east. The breath of the FDL allows a lot of creativity if given some thought. The ocean to the west again offers the opportunity for SBS amphibious landings deep behind enemy lines.

    I feel we need to take calculated risks for bigger gains and to break the deadlock.

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  19. abarip,
    You have some valid points in your last comment. With respect to the use of the Mi-24 gunships, they have been used throughout. Actually the close air support they provided for the navy might have been a deciding factor in the war against the sea tigers along with the improved weaponry and tactics of the SLN.

    On land I think the SLDF have had to be very careful about its use as CAS. As you have pointed out correctly, the Mi-24 don't require sophisticated SAMs to nullify them but a simple heavy machine gun is just as effective. I think its suicidal for the Mi-24 to be used as a means of penetrating FDLs where the enemy is dugg-in and prepared. In this case i think the security establishment must have been confident of the fact that the LTTE positions in question could not pose a serious threat to the gunships while still being too strong for infantry to take.

    Anyway lol that's my 2 cents lol
    Btw Defnet, any update on the fruits of Gen. Fonseka's visit to India?

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  20. abarip,
    You have some valid points in your last comment. With respect to the use of the Mi-24 gunships, they have been used throughout. Actually the close air support they provided for the navy might have been a deciding factor in the war against the sea tigers along with the improved weaponry and tactics of the SLN.

    On land I think the SLDF have had to be very careful about its use as CAS. As you have pointed out correctly, the Mi-24 don't require sophisticated SAMs to nullify them but a simple heavy machine gun is just as effective. I think its suicidal for the Mi-24 to be used as a means of penetrating FDLs where the enemy is dugg-in and prepared. In this case i think the security establishment must have been confident of the fact that the LTTE positions in question could not pose a serious threat to the gunships while still being too strong for infantry to take.

    Anyway lol that's my 2 cents lol
    Btw Defnet, any update on the fruits of Gen. Fonseka's visit to India?

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  21. May the triple gem bless our brave heroes.thats nearly a 1000 injured/dead in one month.Theruvan saranai to them all.

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  22. Abarip,
    Pls tell the LTTE fighters to keep fighting and not to stop.

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  23. OFF TOPIC - Boat meant for Tamil Tigers seized in Kerala

    An under-construction boat, meant for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), has been seized by a team of Tamil Nadu police in Kerala on Wednesday. The 72-feet long boat, in the final stages of construction, was seized from the boatyard of Sudha Marine Engineering at Munambu, near Kochi.

    The police are now questioning Benny, who had taken the yard on lease. He had reportedly taken Rs 12 lakh for building the boat.

    N C Asthana, Inspector General of Police in charge of internal security, told IANS: “Interrogation is on and it is too premature at this juncture to give out details.”

    “The team from Tamil Nadu had got in touch with us and there was full cooperation from our side. Maybe, the Intelligence Bureau and other national security agencies will also come into the picture now,” said Asthana.

    Two men the Tamil Nadu police arrested last week at Tiruchirapalli had tipped them off about a boat being built for LTTE in Kerala.

    Reports indicate that the order for the boat came from a person in Kozhikode.

    Defence Minister A K Antony recently expressed fears that pro-terrorist groups were now using the water routes in Kerala for their activities and called for strict vigil against them.

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  24. wow, 104 dead and 822 injured in one month! wat's going on, i thought the defence ministry said that only 15-20 soldiers have died, now if the pm admits this the figure could even be higher! So wat happened to all the critics of tamilnet now, i guess they are not that far off eh guys!

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  25. This is the way to go and good luck to our defence forces.

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  26. Kevin,
    I hope the hon president is not rushing the army.WEll as we all know the only offensive weapon the LTTE has are the mine fields..no we are not going to stop now..thankgod for that!!

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  27. No war can be fought without casualties. Our fullest gratitude for all the brave soldiers who scarified there lives fighting barbarian ruthless terrorists!

    Dear thiru,

    "wat's going on, i thought the defence ministry said that only 15-20 soldiers have died"

    That's your problem mate! You think too much! Don’t day-dream or play computer games! Please refer TN, the only truthful source of information on earth, according to whom only handful of LTTE cadres has died and holds 50% of SL still. lol!

    Thinking about defense ministries figure won't help Praba or the innocent child/ women forcible recruits in the FDL for a better future.

    It’s noticeable that LTTE is losing, so at least thinking and calculating about SLA figures is the only thing they can do right now.

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  28. Sri Lanka recruits Tamil policemen in east

    LINK


    India, Sri Lanka review anti-LTTE operations

    LINK

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  29. Sri Lankan gov't says 104 soldiers, policemen killed in February

    LINK

    any info on the LTTE & civilians on LTTE area ?

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  30. intelattack, actually tamilnet hasn't only reported a handful of ltte casualties and hasn't said that the ltte holds 50% of SL. The ltte has also without a doubt suffered casualties but the GOSL has definitely underestimated the ltte and now they are gonna face more casualties. you talk about the poor child soldiers of the ltte-the ltte doesn't put anyone under 17 on the battlefield. Your poor soldiers families don't even know if they're son is alive or not and when they do die on the battlefield they're names are placed on the missing in action category so that your selfish government doesn't have to pay compensation to their families.

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  31. To know more about MIG-29 Visit

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan_MiG-29

    oh boy... if we can have one of these we can beat the shit out of LTTE.
    MIG-29 she is a realy sexy and looks So dangerous.

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  32. KBS, Perein and DN,

    Thanks for commenting. Yep, it is accepted the moral boosting factor for SLA when using hinds.

    I hope SLAF already does a grate job in removing WIA troops quickly from battlefield.

    Apart from moral influencer MI-24s can do little in this battle. Considering all he estimates we can assume there are 50,000 trained tigers including baby brigae, grandma brigae and with 10,000 hard core fighters. If we also assume defence.lk figures within an year this is now reduced by around 5%. Taking say, Kilinochchi with 10,000 hard core tigers and 50,000 trained tigers is a desastor. So killing maximum number of tigers before marching to tiger territory-Adampan etc make sense. Thus SLA is doing right thing, but a long way to go.
    _______________________________________________

    As I know, figures presented to the parliment by N.Siripala has to be correct. Since this is done on monthly basis they have time to verify, and unlike the terror outfit GOSL has no way to hide or lie on own casualties. (Only incedent being GOSL tried to play with technical terms such as MIA some times-eg. Mulathiv attack-but this is not frequent.) Also, defence.lk reports 2-3 or sometimes even more SLA KIA and 10+ WIA on daily basis. So, for month 100 KIA and 800 WIA seems consistent. Also, PM gives LTTE and civilian casualties too normaly, but I didn't see it so far. Number of bodies recovered by SLA speaks a lot about LTTE casualties. I don't know LTTE now using a stratergy of leaving own dead bodies expecting some other advantage-such as killing SLA by sniper attacks when they try to get them or setting booby traps to dead bodies or some biological things.

    Comparing current offensive with jayasikuru on one hand doesn't make sense since current LTTE caders/whepons is a multiplication of atleast 5 of what jayasikuru had to deel with that time. In that sense SLA is doing 10 times better now.

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  33. Also, there was a time, for years US troops get killed around 100 on monthly in Iraq. Comparing ground condtions and technology between US/SL you can see how good is SLA.

    According to tamilnut 40-50 SLA KIA suddenly but nothing happen to tigers any time.

    It is true GOSL hide behind technical terms of MIA in Mulathiva, Kilinochchi attacks. It was CBK/Raththwathe political decesion. But compensation issues were resolved later. Also,We should thank LTTE tigers here for worrying about and their concern on SLA troops.

    //The government manipulated the traditional conflict between the Jaffna and Batticaloa Tamils to chase the LTTE from the East. However, the people of the Eastern Province say that they have sacrificed 30,000 lives for this war.//-Lankaenews

    30,000 from east only? I think, this eastern tamil should start reading tamilnut like thier tamil di-ass-pora.

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  34. The SLA casualties are tragic but the short term situation for the LTTE is very dire.

    SLA recruited 30,000 in 2007 from about 3800 in 2005. According to a recent report, already 8000 have signed up for the first two months of this year, and the majority have volunteered for the fighting regiments as opposed to some of the service regiments. According to DW, all of the training centers are absolutely full to capacity. In fact, there is a serious shortage of trainers. The GOSL has increased the soldiers salaries significantly, in some cases more than doubling them. In addition, the GOSL amended the death benefits so that parents of dead soldiers now get 25% of their gross compensation effective Decmeber 2007. This is in addition to the death benfits that widows receive. In addition to death benefits, the GOSL plans to build 50,000 subsidized houses for soldiers. Work on 1,800 houses is scheduled to be completed soon. Because of the conditions created today for our brave fighting men,
    there is no shortage of recruits. The SLA can continue to recruit 30,000 annually for the forseeable future till this conflict ends, and it will end within the year.
    Back in 1983 when the LTTE problem started, the SLA had only 13,000 soldier including the volunteer force. The LTTE with 250,000 people in its territory can only increase their manpower marginally, and that's after they recruit the second and third child in every family.

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  35. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  36. thiru,
    "the ltte doesn't put anyone under 17 on the battlefield."

    This is not correct. The 3 dead tigers they are talking about here:
    http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=24866
    were aged 15,16 and 16. Thats one of the most recent examples.


    casc,
    "SLA recruited 30,000 in 2007 from about 3800 in 2005. According to a recent report, already 8000 have signed up for the first two months of this year,"

    7600 in 2008.

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  37. Considering the fact that SLA is fighting on 4 major fronts, the given casualty figures are moderate. These figures will rapidly increase (for both parties) as major battles are fought in Wanni.
    And majority of the wounded are P3 category.

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  38. U.N. Human Rights Chief Louise Arbour Tells Staff She is Leaving

    GENEVA (Reuters) - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, under fire from the United States and several developing countries, told her staff on Wednesday she would leave at the end of June.

    Full Story - Reuters

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  39. DN,
    what is the meaning of P1, P3 etc. I assume they are the degree of severity of injuries. which is worse? please explain if you got the time.

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  40. abarip,

    I agree with you. Kafirs and Mi24 may boost morale and instill fear in opposing troups. But in this particular incidents it can be compared to immunization.Give in small doses so that the resistance develops.

    And I absolutely agree with panhinda. When I mentioned the word 'Military stalemate' couple of days ago there were lot of posts denying it. Unfortunately this is exactly where we are today although we are reluctant to admit it. As panhinda says we need a break. A surprise. An invention.Tigers are good at it.

    We need to take a caculated risk. And do something [which I dont know] to throw the whole sytem off balance. The more we wait higher the chances that tigers have a luck with it.

    I think that is exactly what Gen Fonseka tried to do in Muhamalai last year. If I remember right he didn't have the air support.

    At the moment our superiority depends on the MIG's. I dont know whether we have anymore trumps up our sleeves.

    'the clock is ticking'

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  41. clashes between LTTE and SLA in
    Willpathu boundary(Ilavankulam which was the area where the clashes occured and this place one of a very important place during the JVP was against to the gvt in 1971) today and 1 SLA wounded

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  42. SnakeVI,

    "what is the meaning of P1, P3 etc. I assume they are the degree of severity of injuries. which is worse?"

    P1- Seriously injured
    P2 - Less seriously injured
    P3- Walking wounded (minor injuries)

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  43. thanks DN

    mottapala,
    I don't agree with you when you say there is a stalemate! (i'm not disagreeing with the idea out of my support for SLA)
    how can anyone claim we are at a stalemate when we havent even tried to break through LTTE lines and capture land. we haven't tried (on a significant scale) so how can anyone say we are at a stalemate?
    I'd like to hear your line of reasoning...
    thanks

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  44. 'how can anyone claim we are at a stalemate when we havent even tried to break through LTTE lines and capture land. we haven't tried (on a significant scale) so how can anyone say we are at a stalemate?'

    That is exactly the reason. The fact that 'we didn't or havn't'.

    My point is, we should or we must; soon!

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  45. yea... but that isn't a stalemate! its a strategic decision... your idea of breaking through the lines and attacking goes against the whole point of 'the war of attrition'!
    calling it a stalemate makes no sense and neither does SLA rushing the offensive. they have a plan and they are sticking to it. I think you should think things through before calling it a stalemate. that makes it looks like the SLA has failed to archive what they are after.
    I am too was expecting adampan to fall much sooner, but we are making progress (no matter the speed). any progress is good and it cannot be considered a stalemate (or even be referred to as one!)

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  46. Mottapala,
    I agree with Snakevi.At the moment the idea is to draw new LTTE cadres to the frontline and ambush or kill them until vp has to call up his own relatives+grandmothers.There is no need to capature land which can be done with less difficulty when more cadres are killed in future.(mind you i am praying the army is trying to force the LTTE kids to surrender..it is not their war..this is the war of the sangam bastards overseas).Right now we just need to stop infiltration as much as possible.
    On a seperate note:i hope that donkey who administers defense.lk learns some good english and tells the truth for a change without treating us like idiots.The funny thing is according to defense.lk the troops have found teddybears in LTTE trenches/bunkers..what are these bunkers?...holiday camps?

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  47. Mottapala,
    The LTTE want us to break through their defences en masse like the good old days.(See they have sweet memories of the flying black tiger divisions.)because they have mined the entire north and want our brave hearts to die due to mines.So why oblige them..we only need to keep killing cadres at LTTE FDl's and draw more cadres to their FDL's with the minimum of casualties to us unless the army decideds its about time to capture vital land areas to cutoff their supply routes.
    OH dear i forgot..IC pussy arbour is leaving her job.??.god damn..who is the IC pussy the LTTE is going to look up to now..you know this wonderful Ac,bc,....ic..ZC?

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  48. for a long time people thought that stalingrad was stalemate and trhen at the opportune moment after massing up huge formations of tanks and infantry the soviets attacked and destroyed the NAzi's all they needed was a good patient and extremely smart generel Zhukov and we have got a general like that and we are waiting for that moment. and exploiting that moment is easier if we follow the battleplan for attrition

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  49. ahh come on guys lets not give in to defeatism

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  50. I spoke to a guy who is an ex LTTE member, recently. He and his family revere VP like a god. He had met with and spoken personally to VP and he told me an anecdote. It was in 1993 in Jaffna, he says, that VP told him and his colleague at a meeting that they will soon have to move to Vanni and hence they had better prepared for the hardships they would face there. At a time when things were quite stable in Jaffna, VP had foreseen the future and warned them before hand about the impending shift of their headquarters to the Vanni. 15 years on and VP's soothsaying skills must have been well honed by the protracted war. Make no mistake my friends, VP would have forseen it all and will now be busy cooking a big surprise!!

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  51. abarip,

    don't mean to burst you bubble mate but it doesnt take a genius to figure out that it is easier to fight a guerrilla war in the jungle!

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  52. abarip,
    I am puzzled as to why this guy you spoke to is an ex-ltte cadre..if he loves vp more than his life how come he does not rejoin the LTTE during this time of dire need for cadres?..If he has kids he should ask them to join the LTTE as well and even use force if necessary.Surely if dying at the front lines is good for other tamil kids..why not his?

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  53. after a long time the sheer determination i see in the forces will bring an end to this tragic chapter in our history hopefully soon.

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  54. SnakeVI,
    Your idea of Vanni seems to be that of one huge jungle.
    Anyways, Vanni has, since LTTE moved its headquarters to it, seen only conventional war, not guerilla warfare.
    It is one thing to hate a man and another to pretend not to see his brilliance. I was merely expounding an established notion about a legendary military mind.

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  55. abarip,

    I do think that VP is a brilliant strategist. (not unconditionally though)
    i was merely emphasizing that you made a weak point in your comment.
    "VP told him and his colleague at a meeting that they will soon have to move to Vanni and hence they had better prepared for the hardships they would face there"
    my point is, it doesn't take a genius to realize this fact. At least from my point of view. maybe your threshold is lower...
    "It is one thing to hate a man and another to pretend not to see his brilliance"
    Also,
    It is one thing to worship a man and another to pretend that he is brilliant!
    food for thought mate...

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  56. Srilankan,
    I am not that person, and as such, I can not speak for him. I'm sure he has his reasons for being what he is. Anyways, you might find the answer for your question by analysing what we are doing right now sitting in front of the computer fighting a war of words rather than at the FDL fighting along with the soldiers who we so enthusiastically cheer.

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  57. snakeVI,
    I agree.The only reason this fellow vp survived this long was due to a series of stupid southern politicians pacifying him or another country standing in our way.
    Abarip,
    my question is very simple:if this guy loves vp this much(like a god..as you say)..does he love vp more than the lives of his wife and children?.since i dont know him why dont you ask him the next time you meet him?

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  58. it was not VPs brilliance that brought him victories in the early stages it was the incompetance of sri lakan commanders. he cannot be placed anywhere near military geniuses

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  59. Thank you SLAF, thank you God Jesus Christ for giving them wisdom and protection and thank you defencenet. I'm having a party.

    This is the way to go WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH.

    Of course we can't be wasting SLAF assets for anything and everything. But as we know the going became very tough for SLA recently and LTTE cadres were holding their positions no matter what. Also as it was revealed we lost a large number of soldiers (the casualty figure are very high and though we managed to kill more tigers we failed to advance much)and it seemed we may be stuck with LTTE children (and adult CADRES) at Mannar FDLs forever.

    DN says....
    ".............where the tigers are fiercely resisting an army advance towards Wanni heartland"

    1. This is the type of situ. when we need our competitive advantage - mastery of the skies.

    2. It is a very good decision. As to the number of casualties DIRECTLY attributable to SLAF attacks, it is VERY VERY difficult to know. Probably LTTE casualties are much higher than 5. Five is the number that was verified by MoD sources.

    3. Also damages to LTTE arti. mortar positions is not known.

    4. If tigers run for shelter when SLAF attacks that means they cannot defend themselves from the SLA and on the other hand SLA are not getting attacked by LTTE fire! This is a HUGE advantage that can make all the difference between victory and defeat.


    "Yes, they get into a bunker and kiss their ass goodbye..."

    well said shay.

    BTW my apologies for being TOO OBSESSED with SLAF's role in ground operations. The time has come and they have arisen to the occassion.

    sivarasaih may be spiting shit now!

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  60. SnakeVI,
    Your judgement of the quality of that particular premonition of VP's was deeply rooted in your belief that (a) Vanni was mainly a jungle and (b) LTTE was to apply guerilla tactics once they shifted to Vanni. I have clearly established that both your assertions were fundametally flawed. Also, the weight you attached to the fact that LTTE were well consolidated in Jaffna at that time seems to be very minimal. This is a period that LTTE was able to recruit scores of young men and women and was fast growing as a formidable conventional fighting force. Even the SLA hierarchy would have been surprised a a remark of that nature at THAT point in time. On the other hand, Vanni was at that time, a place where there were not many people and the infrastructure was pathetic. It would have been impossible for LTTE to survive in the Vanni without the support of people. Surely, VP would have known that with the small population in Vanni at that time, he would not have survived there for even a month. Here comes the linch pin of VP's premonition; he knew that 500,000 tamils will move with him to Vanni, two years before the miracle happened. I used the word miracle consciously. The Jaffna society is one that is extremely possesive about its lands and properties. Who would have thought that this society would leave everything behind and move to Vanni trusting one man's word? In my humble view, this was a stroke of genius. Again, perspectives do differ...

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  61. Srilankan

    ‘hope the hon president is not rushing the army.WEll as we all know the only offensive weapon the LTTE has are the mine fields..no we are not going to stop now..thankgod for that!!
    March 5, 2008 8:52 PM
    We have the numbers and time in our hand and the terrorist enclave will be staved of weapons etc We must win this battle and tackle their international connections.

    ReplyDelete
  62. abarip--

    Although your arguments could be valid, I don't think this war will be won by "keyboards". After all this is over, go visit a psychiatrist - you have some serious mental issues that need to be addressed.

    Heil Prabakaran!!! Shit, where's my wallet... My money... All gone... LTTE... Exterminated soon... Net result after 30 years of "non-violent" struggle and 30 years of "armed" terrorism... Zero Sum Game my friend...

    ReplyDelete
  63. Kevin,
    Well said bro.The best way is to increase our population overseas..gives us more voteing power...more clout..

    ReplyDelete
  64. DefenceNet

    "casc,
    "SLA recruited 30,000 in 2007 from about 3800 in 2005. According to a recent report, already 8000 have signed up for the first two months of this year,"

    7600 in 2008."



    In a month 104+ 844 out from battle field so it mean you can fight with New recruite how long ?
    How long you started the mannar operation?
    how long km you advanced in LTTE teritorry? I mean since from the operation ?
    it seems to be useless war ....there are should be a political solution for Tamils

    can you say what is happning in east ? ARMED TVMP what there are doing there are harming the tamil civilians including muslims , is the solution for the EAST ?
    so far The EASTERN TAMILS ANGERED IN PRESENT GOSL AND the REGIME

    VANNI ( IF SLA CAPTURED) will be the SAME
    there will be another 2008 Mission "Jayasikuru" floundered will be routed!
    WHAT ARE THE Long-Term Strategiy for SRILANKA ?

    DO YOU THINK IS IT POLITICAL WAR OR SAVING MOTHER LAND ?

    ReplyDelete

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