Viduthalaithiv falls to the army

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) 's 58 division has been able to take control of the Viduthalaithiv town as of today (16th). LTTE maintained a major sea tiger base in the area which plays a vital role in providing supplies to the organization. In addition to its role as a logistics base, Viduthalaithiv has been the launching pad for several sea tiger raids on naval outposts recently.

According to military intelligence, the LTTE have moved some of their hardware and personnel further northwards, deep into LTTE held territory. The base has been under siege for days, both by regular infantry units of the 58 division as well as by squads of commandos. 

Viduthalaithiv, located 20km north of Mannar, has been under LTTE control for nearly 19 years.

Special security for 3 VIPs during SAARC summit

A special security plan will be launched to ensure protection of 3 VIPs whose lives are threatened by terrorist attacks as per intelligence information. These VIPs are due to arrive in Sri Lanka for the SAARC summit that is to be held later this month. The special security program will include defenses for terrorist attacks from air and land as well as monitoring suspicious activity using advanced surveillance equipment.

In addition to the security plan launched by Sri Lankan forces, the respective VIPs will also bring their own security personnel. For example the Indian prime minister will be accompanied by the National Security Guards (Aka Blackcats). In addition to ground troops, several helicopters of the Indian Air Force will also be part of the air defence system during the SAARC summit. At least 3 ships of the Indian Navy are also deployed in the seas off Sri Lanka during this time.

Meanwhile the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are facing increased pressure from the armed forces in Mannar front. One of their major sea tiger bases in Viduthalaithiv is now under siege by the army's 58 division. In addition to the regular infantry units of the 58 division, several squads of the Commando regiment are also deployed in this area. It was only 5 days ago that 12 personnel from the Bravo Squad of 2nd commando regiment infiltrated the southern defence line of Viduthalaithiv and killed 27 LTTE cadres. More than 150 experienced cadres from LTTE's battled hardened brigades were called in by LTTE's Mannar commander Lakshman, to repel the Commando raid. Sgt A. Kumara and Corporal N. Wanasinghe who lead two of the three 4-man teams into battle were killed in action during the 6 hour firefight that ensued. The LTTE has further reinforced its defences around Viduthalaithiv after this incident.

Public transport attacked in Buttala-Kataragama road

A public transport bus was attacked in Buttala - Kataragama road today killing at least 3 people and injuring 15 more. The bus was en route to Kataragama from Monaragala when it was attacked.

LTTE activity in this region has gradually increased over the last year.

Update: 4 killed and 25 injured

More additions to the Commando Regiment

203 Sri Lanka Army soldiers who completed training in the commando training center in Kuda Oya graduated today (7th). Revamped commando training now includes training in deep battle space operations in addition to the regular courses. The new additions to the commando regiment comes at a time when the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) is locked in a full scale war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

In the past, army's elite troops in Commando and SF were used extensively to carry out special operations and deep battle space. The situation now has somewhat changed with even regular infantry units (specially in 57, 58 and 59 divisions) receiving specialized training and thus obtaining the capability to successfully carry our special operations.

In addition to the Commandos , there are around 2500 special forces (SF) in the army as well as around 7000 Special Task Force (STF) personnel in the police.

Mig27 skids off runway at Katunayake

A Mig27 jet bomber of SLAF's 5th Jet Squadron skidded off the runway at Katunayake while landing after an air raid on a known LTTE position. The exact amount of damage caused to the aircraft in this incident is still being assessed.

Meanwhile the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) marked the 21st anniversary of their first suicide bombing today. The first ever suicide bombing of the LTTE was carried out by 'Captain' Miller (Valipuram Vasanthan) on 5th of July 1987, when he rammed an explosive laden truck into the Sri Lanka Army base in Nellyadi. 39 SLA soldiers perished in this attack. Since then the tigers have been carrying out frequent suicide bombings in both civilian and military targets alike. According to LTTE released figures, 356 cadres have committed suicide for the organization.

VVIP Transport hit by small arms fire

A VVIP transport helicopter (Bell 412) was forced to perform an emergency landing in Ampara today, when it ran out of fuel in mid air. The unexpected fuel loss was caused by a bullet that is suspected to have been fired using a low caliber weapon. The damaged aircraft is said to be in repairable condition. The chopper was assigned to facilitate VVIP transport related to the President's visit to Arugam Bay in the Eastern province.

Meanwhile 8 bombers of the SLAF launched an air attack on a special training base of the LTTE north east of Mankulam. The raid was conducted at 6am in the morning. Casualty details are not available as of now.

In other news, the Air Force has flown several night time missions using its bombers during the past 2 weeks. The bombers flew over Kilinochchci, the de facto capital of LTTE, at least 3 times but did not engage in any bombing raids.

Heavy LTTE casualties as 54 base falls to the army

LTTE's elite Charles Anthony brigade suffered one of their worst setbacks in the 4th Eelam war at the hand of army's 57 division yesterday (26) and today (27). Heavy fighting raged in Chiraddikulama, North of Vavuniya, when SLA mounted an offensive to capture LTTE's 54 base yesterday evening. Fighting continued till today (27) till the base finally fell to the army. Serach and clearing operations are still continuing in the area to defuse the booby traps and to hunt and kill any surviving LTTE elements.

Image source: www.army.lk 

A large number of LTTE fighters have been killed in this battle (exact number unknown as of yet) and 25 of the bodies have been recovered by the army. Majority of the casualties are from LTTE's elite Charles Anthony brigade. The army has also captured an arsenal of weapons including a 12.7mm AA gun.

Intercepted radio transmissions monitored LTTE elements in the region repeatedly requesting permission for withdrawal even during initial stages of fighting. LTTE command in Wanni apparently turned down all the requests. The LTTE cadre in the area however resisted the army advance fiercely for many hours until they were finally overwhelmed.

Massive air strikes on LTTE positions

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has attacked more than 4 LTTE positions in the north during yesterday (25th) and today (26th).

The first air attack of yesterday was on a LTTE bunker line around 2km ahead of the Weli Oya forward defence line. Air Force used helicopter gunships to attack the target in this instance. Around half an hour later, SLAF bombers attacked 3 LTTE artillery positions south of Muhamalai FDL. Intelligence sources indicated that an LTTE artillery expert identified as "Iniyawan" has suffered injuries in this air raid.

Two more aerial attacks on LTTE positions in the northern front was launched today (26th) morning. Helicopter gunships attacked a small LTTE based located North of Andankulam at around 6am while bombers raided an LTTE training facility north of Vedithalaithivu. LTTE casualty details are not available as of this moment.

Task Force 2 joins the battle

With Task Force 2 officially launching their first mission in the Wanni operation on the 17th of this month, there are now 5 divisions of the SLA laying the siege to Wanni from the southern border. The first offensive mounted by the Task Force 2 (TF2) was a success; the attack on the LTTE frontline on Mundirippu left 7 LTTE cadres dead where 2 bodies of slain cadres were recovered. Two brigades of the 61 division have also been deployed to battlefield.

The Special Task Force (STF) was able to arrest the leader of a credit card scam (identified as Nesanayagam Muruganayam) in Wellawatte last week. The suspect has confessed to have earned more than Rs 500 million from credit card fraud, of which the majority of the money was 'donated' to the LTTE. After the STF made the bust, the investigations were handed over to the CID. However the future of these investigation is not clear as suspect's links with several senior police officers in Mount Lavinia and Moratuwa have been found. There senior officers are allegedly discouraging the progress of the investigations. As we reported earlier, corruption on the part of  some high ranking police officials in Mount Lavinia and Moratuwa has only made LTTE operations in Colombo easier.

Meanwhile another senior LTTE operative was arrested in Colombo last week. This individual, who was once a director of the Film Corporation, is suspected to be a key figure behind all major LTTE bombings in Colombo in the recent past. Several more arrests were made following his confession, of which more details cannot be posted as of yet.

LTTE Intelligence wing leader for Trincomalee district killed

LTTE's intelligence wing leader for southern Trincomalee district was killed by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) yesterday. The LTTE cadre who was identified as 'Thangan' was shot and killed by the army in Neelapola, on the 19th. Although the LTTE does not have permanent bases in the Trincomalee region, members from their intelligence wing are known to maintain presence in the area.

Meanwhile the SLA operations into LTTE held Wanni are progressing gradually. The operations, continuing on 3 fronts (Vavuniya, Mannar and Weli Oya) are pushing LTTE defenses to their limits. Apart from the conventional units, army is using special forces and commando units to conduct deep battlespace operations. A week ago, a team of army commandos ambushed LTTE's Mannr district leader inside LTTE held territory. The leader, who was traveling in a motorcycle, managed to escape the blast however his bodyguard (who was traveling in another motorcycle around 50m away from the target) was caught in the explosion and killed.

Meanwhile more than 30 LTTE cadre have been killed in fighting in the Northern province for the last 3 days while 5 soldiers laid their lives and another 15 more suffered injuries.