LRRP steps up attacks in the north

Sri Lanka army's deep penetration unit known as the Long Range Recon Patrol (LRRP) has stepped up its attacks on LTTE targets during the last few weeks. We cannot disclose any detail about the targets taken due to security reasons but we can confirm that several  strikes targeting senior LTTE cadres and intelligence wing members were successfully conducted during the last few weeks.

LTTE has dispatched several of it's elite units to hunt down LRRP commando units but they have not had any success so far. Tiger strongholds such as Mullaithivu which are guarded by hard core LTTE fighters have been subject to DPU strikes in the recent past too.  Pro LTTE media has come up with false claims about DPU strikes on civilians in the hope to discourage LRRP activity in north.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets carried out bombing runs targeting several rebel bases in the northern province today. SLAF's MiG and Kfir bombers were used in the attack.

SLAF currently operates 10 Kfir Multirole fighters and 4 MiG 27 'Flogger' ground attack craft in its jet bomber fleet. 3 more MiGg27 jets and one MiG23 trainer craft is set to rejoin 5th jet squadron after an overhauling.

7th SLLI overruns Kokkadicholai LTTE base

Advancing troops of the 7th Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) captured the main LTTE base in Kokkadicholai, yesterday night. Kokkadicholai was one of the few main rebel bases remaining in the embattled eastern province.

LTTE cadres who were manning the base fled as a large number of SLA soldiers advanced in multiple directions overrunning tiger defence lines in the process. SLA sources said that Kokkadicholai base contained well constructed buildings to which even modern air conditioning systems and other luxuries were installed.

Casualty details are not yet available.

"Ten Squadron" flies again

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) launched massive airstrikes over Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam positions in the eastern and northern provinces of Srilanka today. Airstrikes resumed after the LTTE carried out a surprise aerial attack on SLAF's main base at Katunayake. There was much speculation in pro LTTE media that the entire Kfir jet bomber fleet was destroyed in the attack.

According to the information we receive, no fighter aircraft were damaged in the incident. However 2 to 6 helicopters parked in hangars and several buildings on the Aeronautical Engineering Wing were damaged in the explosions.

However the Air Force carried out one of the most intense aerial raids after 2002 CFA, today. Kfirs of the 10th Fighter squadron at KAB, MiG27 fighters from 5th Jet Squadron at KAB, Mi24/36 helicopter Gunships from Minneriya AB carried out simultaneous air attacks on various tiger strongholds today.

Targets attacked today

• LTTE intelligence base - Kanagarayankulam
• Sea tiger base at Sudolaipidai - Mannar north
• B-Route Camp - Thoppigala

Targets attacked yesterday

• Sea tiger base - Wellankulam,Mannar North
• Sea tiger base - Thibilikulam, Mullaithiv

Damages caused by these airstrikes are not yet known. However, SLAF sent a clear message to the LTTE who are upbeat after yesterday's partially successful airstrike; "We are still here. Nothing has changed."

MiG27 fighter jets bomb Mullaithiv

Putting an end to wild rumors which surfaced after the LTTE airstrike on Katunayake Air Base (KAB) , Air Force MiG27 fighter jets pounded pre identified LTTE sea tiger base locations in the rebel held Mullaithiv area today evening. Few pro rebel media on the Internet falsely reported that SLAF's supersonic jet fleet was completely destroyed in the tiger airstrike.

LTTE air attack did not damage any fighter aircraft but 3 buildings which belong to the aeronautical engineering wing were slightly damaged due to explosions which followed after tiger aircraft dropped two explosives.

Four newly acquired MiG27 craft took part in today's sortie which targeted a series of sea tiger bases in Mullaithiv rebel stronghold. Damages caused by these attacks are not yet known.

India deploys radars in southern coast

The tiger air attack over the Katunayake military base today took everyone by surprise. LTTE used one or two light fixed wing aircraft to drop bombs on SLAF's main base at Katunayake where fighter squadrons are based on. Although no fighter jets were damaged, tigers were able to score 'propaganda points' which boosted the morale of their fighters and Eelam Diaspora alike . This unexpected development has opened a whole new front in the undeclared Eelam war 4.

The attack has not only worried the Srilankan government but has sent warning signals through the Indian authorities as well. IAF has deployed several civilian and military radars along the southern coast in the wake of these new developments. Their main concern is that the Microlights which the tigers posses have a range of 1000Km thus making several major Indian cities vulnerable to LTTE air attacks. An Indian nuclear reactor is also said to be located in an area within 1000KM range from Killinochchi.

The aircraft (or aircrafts) which took part in the operation has not been shot down. The fate of these crafts is still unknown. Did they land in Wanni? Were they ditched to the sea? Are they hidden somewhere close to Colombo for later use? There are too many unanswered questions.

SLAF now has a mission to accomplish. Somewhere in the north Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have built a functional runway. They may even have more functional aircraft. SLAF need to find the rebel airbase. Once they find it, Jet bomber fleet will take revenge.

LTTE attacks KAB

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) carried out a bombing sortie on SLAF's main military base at Katunayake at 12.45AM today. The target of the attack is suspected to be 5th jet Squadron and 10th fighter squadron hangars located in the airbase. No fighter aircraft were damaged but 3 SLAF personnel were killed and 17 others received injuries.

Following the attack a lot of false propaganda has hit the web. Tamilnet has quoted their military spokesman saying ' aircraft with air to surface capability' attacked KAB. However DefenceNet learns that either motorized hang gliders or light aircraft (without combat capability) were used in a manual bombing run.

Meanwhile, BBC had initially reported that the Katunayake international airport came under attack. This is entirely false the the airport was not damaged nor a target of the attack.

SLAF's radar system indicated an unidentified aircraft 40 minutes before the attack took place. Whether the attackers returned to LTTE territory or whether they paradropped to a nearby area and hid the gliders (if any were used) is not yet clear.

Related Articles:

LTTE planning to attack MiG27 hangar

Await more updates...

Navy's deep sea missile vessels return home after a successful mission

Sri lanka Navy (SLN) 's deep sea missile vessels which destroyed two large tiger arms ships within one day, returned to their home base in Trincomalee last Friday. Four offshore patrol vessels were deployed in the eastern seas after receiving intelligence information [Source withheld] about the inbound tiger arms transport from Indonesia.

Navy's deep sea missile vessels engaged in the operation, SLNS Sayura, SLNS Samudura, SLNS Jaya Sagara and SLNS Nandimithra were given a warm welcome in the Trincomalee base when they returned from the eastern seas. All four ships had the Sri Lankan flag hoisted and the decks were decorated with various colorful designs.

Picure: SLNS Samudura Offshore Patrol Vessel

Some of the missile ships the SNL possess have the capability to fire the highly destructive "Barak" missile. However these missiles have not been added to the SLN inventory as of yet and therefore the SLN has to shoot at hostile vessels using medium-high armament fire. Addition of sea missiles to SLN inventory should give a huge boost to SLN's naval firepower. 

LTTE's sea wing leader Soosei (Codename Oska Sera) has previously claimed that the "Final Battle' will be fought on the 'sea'. The LTTE will have to destroy Navy's Special Boat Squadron, Fast Attack Squadron and the Deep sea missile vessel fleet; the 3 most powerful units which form the core of SLN if this statement is to become reality. As long as the Navy has these formations intact, the LTTE will never be able to win the so called ' Final Battle'.

LTTE losing control in the east

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are gradually losing their control over territory in the eastern province as the advancing army troops continued to capture strategic points without heavy resistance. However, the military advance is progessing slowly to prevent civillian casualties. 800-1000 LTTE cadres are said to be trapped in the jungles of Thoppigala where their last major base in the Eastern province is located in.

In addition to the Gemunu Watch and Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) regiments , army has also deployed Commandos and Special Forces units specialized in jungle warfare in the Thoppigala offensive. Some of the Special Forces units have already infiltrated rebel defence lines and the LTTE's Jeyanthan brigade has not so far been able to pinpoint their location.

The trapped LTTE cadres made a desperate attempt to break the army formations by attacking 5 army camps located in the border last week. LTTE used it's 120MM mortars and 107MM Katyusha clones as supporting fire in the attack. However, the army was able to prevent the LTTE advance and tigers fled leaving behind 8 dead bodies. A total of 12 LTTE cadres were kiiled and further 30 were wounded in this attack.

The military expects to capture the entire Thoppigala area, including LTTE's B-Route and Barons Camps within the next 3 weeks.

Madhu offensive temporarily halted due to stiff Tiger resistance

Sri lanka army's offensive to capture the Madhu area and free nearly 5000 IDPs trapped in the vicinity of Madhu  church has been temporarily halted due to stiff resistance by the tigers. Soldiers engaged in the main military advance have returned to original positions but several small groups consisting of specially trained units are still  deployed in the no man's land. Troops had advanced 4km into LTTE held territory when heavy fighting broke out. The battle raged for 12 hours straight and the army took a tactical decision to halt the advance in order to prevent personnel losses. The Army was able to prevent heavy losses being incurred in an offensive where long range artillery support was not available (due to the fear of civilian casualties).

Army started the offensive when the LTTE shelled army FDLs and Omanthei checkpoint (Which is the only supply entrance to Wanni LTTE controlled region ,where thousands of civilians are trapped) using heavy weapons deployed in civilian settlements. A total of 9 soldiers were killed and 58 others were injured during this offensive. Out of the 58 injured, 48 soldiers received only minor injuries and they will soon rejoin the battle front within at least 2-3 days.  Nearly 30 guerillas were killed and above 50 are said to be wounded. Army's Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment and Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) were used in this offensive.

It should be noted that the Army did not retreat with a tractor load of dead bodies as mentioned by several pro LTTE media. This was never a large scale offensive aimed at capturing territory but a pre emptive strike conducted to neutralize rebel gun positions deployed in civilian settlements. 

Army advances into LTTE territory west of Mannar

Heavily armed soldiers of the Sri lankan army advanced 2km into rebel held territory west of Mannar after breaching the LTTE forward defence lines at several locations today. 20 rebels were killed and an unknown number were injured during the offensive and the army has taken complete control over several strategic points previously held by the tigers. 4 army personnel were killed and 19 were wounded due to shrapnel damage from LTTE's retaliatory mortar fire. Army advance should not be misinterpreted as a large scale offensive as it is merely a pre emptive strike conducted to neutralize rebel guns stationed in populated areas and to prevent civilian casualties in the case of an emergency situation.

Intelligence sources have indicated that the LTTE is planning a massive attack on army positions in Vavuniya/Mannar border to regain the pride which was lost in recent Vakarai defeat. Confirming intelligence reports, LTTE deployed several heavy mortars in close proximity of populated villages in then rebel held area and fired at the army FDL using these weapons last week. It would have been catastrophic had the army retaliated these attacks using MBRL batteries as many civilian casualties were sure to be inflicted due to the manner in which the tigers deployed their heavy weapons. Instead of using long range fire the army has started a limited ground offensive to drive the LTTE away from the populated areas.