SLN-SLA outpost attacked - Jaffna

A small outpost manned by Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Navy personnel was attacked by LTTE sea tigers today (29th) dawn. The outpost, which was located in Chi'ruththeevu island, was overrun by the tigers for a short period of time in the attack. There were only a handful number of security forces personnel deployed in the small outpost at the time of attack.

LTTE has used a significant number of fighters in the amphibious attack. Several SLN personnel have gone missing in the incident. It could be that they were either captured by the tigers or were killed in the attack. No information on actual casualty count is available as of now.

Explosion in Dehiwala

An explosion has occurred near the railway station, Dehiwala at around 4.50PM today. The explosion has occurred inside the Colombo - Panadura train which was in close proximity of the station at time of blast.

Update: 7 dead and over 50 wounded. Among the dead is a pregnant mother. 14 of the wounded are in critical condition. Many hospitalized due to shock.

The blast bears all hallmarks of a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attack.

Images: More pictures from the front line

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A collection of images taken during various operations of the army as well as in training exercises.

Reports of LTTE aircraft destruction unverified

There have been several news stories in both printed and electronic media regarding the alleged shootdown of an LTTE aircraft by the army. According to our sources, no confirmation has yet been received regarding the destruction of any LTTE aircraft.

However it is true that two LTTE aircraft were airborne for a brief period of time yesterday (16th) night, for an unknown purpose. These were detected by the SLAF radars and two F-7G interceptors were deployed immediately after the detection. LTTE runway at Iranamadu was attacked by SLAF bombers (Both Kfir and Mig27 aircraft) moments after the aircraft disappeared from the radar.

It is after this bombing the pilots observed an odd fire in the runway which has lead to the speculation of an aircraft being destroyed while on the ground. However we would like to emphasize the fact that mere observation of a fire is not adequate proof of destruction of the aircraft. For example, the same effect would have occurred had the bombs hit a vehicle parked near the runway.

Suicide blast in Fort as troop make progress in Palampiddi

10 people were killed and a further 95 were injured today when a LTTE suicide bomber rammed a motorcycle into a bus transporting Police riot squad personnel. Among the dead were 8 policemen. 30 more police personnel were wounded in the blast. There were soaring civilian casualties in the blast with over 50 civilians being injured. Another police bus and several three wheelers parked nearby sustained damages in the blast.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka Army's 57 division conducting operations in the Palampiddi region are progressing with increased success. Tigers in this region have begun to feel the pressure of the army offensive since the army captured a key bridge two weeks ago. Three 8-man teams of the army captured the Palampiddi bridge on the 6th, killing 6 tigers in the process. With the capture of this bridge, army is now able to move armored units further into the Wanni. Tigers have called one of their senior commanders, Veerappan Master, from Kilinochchi to defend the area however he has not been able to make a difference so far.

Few more bodies of LTTE cadres killed at the hands of 57th division were handed over to the ICRC today. 5 of the bodies were of female child soldiers.

Sea tigers attacks SLN logistical vessel A-520

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) logistical vessel A-520 was sunk due to heavy damages caused to its hull by an underwater explosion early morning today. The ship was attacked at approximately 2.20AM in the morning today (10th).

A-520 had been used to supply SLN's warships in deep sea operations as well and for troop and logistic transports to the Jaffna peninsula.

Army moves into Adampan town

The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has moved into the Adampan town as of today (9th) morning. 2 soldiers were killed in the renewed fighting in this area while 7 more were wounded. Today's fighting followed the clashes yesterday during which the army secured another 2 square km area to the south of the town center. Adampan was under siege for many months by the army's Task Force One.

More than 20 LTTE cadres have been killed in this front during last two days fighting. Majority of the SLA casualties were caused by long range mortar fire by the LTTE.

LTTE expands runway at Iranamadu

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have been expanding their runway at Iranamadu during the past few weeks. Latest aerial surveillance images have shown the runway being expanded possibly to support larger aircraft.

The tigers may be expanding the runway in the hope of acquiring larger aircraft than the existing Zlin 143s which do not require a well built runway to operate from. However given the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF)'s continuous bombings raids over Iranamadu, it is doubtful if the tigers have plans to use the Iranamadu runway even if they do manage to acquire better aircraft. UAV surveillance footage during bombing runs have clearly showed bombs from SLAF jets hitting the target accurately, leaving behind large craters on the runway. These craters however seem to be easily repaired.

The only other explanation of this expansion would be its use as a decoy. This theory is fueled by MI reports which indicated Zlins are launched from locations in Mullaithiv south rather than from Iranamadu runway.However discarding the warnings without proper investigation can have deadly consequences for the security forces. Before the tigers showed their 'air power' SLAF's UAVs picked up images of Zlins parked on Iranamadu runway. Initially the warnings were discarded claiming that the spotted aircraft were dummies. At a later time, a high ranking defence official  (at the time) made history by claiming 'the tigers have brought planes for transportation purposes'.

Military Intelligence believes that tigers have between 5 to 10 Zlin 143 aircraft to at least one a locally built bomb rack is installed. Although the accuracy of the bombing raids are often very low, the threat posed by these aircraft remains significant.

Troops recover 6 LTTE bodies : Mannar

Soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) deployed in the Mannar front confronted a group of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Chettiyarkatteiadampan, Mannar today (3rd) morning. 6 bodies of LTTE cadres killed in this battle have been recovered by the troops. This incident followed a pre dawn clash in Northern Adampan in which four more LTTE cadres were shot dead by the troops. 1 soldiers was killed and 6 more received injuries in these two incidents.

Meanwhile LTTE detonated a roadside claymore mine targeting two STF personnel riding a motorbike along Kebithigollewa-Vavuniya road. Both have received serious injuries in the explosion. Another claymore mine explosion which was triggered today in Padaviya damaged a high capacity power line.

The two claymore explosions follow a similar blast in Weli-Oya yesterday (2nd) which resulted in the death of 1 SLA soldier. LTTE has stepped up its artillery and infiltration attacks in this sector due to the continued pressure mounted by operations of the army's 59th division. LTTE has fired a large number of artillery shells on both military and civilian property in the Weli Oya region for the past two weeks. Nearly 40 soldiers have received injuries due to these artillery attacks.