LTTE's Kilali area leader killed

LTTE's area leader for Kilali was killed along with 3 other cadres during a confrontation with SLA soldiers early morning today (11th). The group of LTTE cadres was attacked by a small attack unit of the SLA operating ahead of their forward defense line. Although not given much publicity, small attack teams from the 55 and 53 divisions have been constantly engaged in small scale skirmishes with LTTE cadres along the National Front for the past few weeks.

Meanwhile an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) of SLAF was forced to make an emergency landing in Anuradhapura Airbase today. According to available information the reason was a technical fault.

In other news SLAF has been bombing LTTE targets in the Wanni several times a day for the past two days (9th and 10th). MI is still trying to determine the actual damage caused by these raids specially about the raid on LTTE intelligence wing HQ in western Kilinochci, which was bombed on the 9th.

Explosion in Mount Lavinia

A small explosion has occurred in mount Lavinia a short while ago. The cause of the blast is suspected to be and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) being set off. The blast has occurred in close proximity of the railway tracks beside De Seram road in Mount Lavinia.

There are no casualties however the rail tracks have been slightly damaged.

The truth about Vavuniya attack

When it comes to suicide attacks, LTTE's Black tigers rarely disappoint the organization. Today was one of those rare days on which LTTE's primary weapon disappointed its leadership. 10 Black Tigers (5 male and 5 female) were mercilessly gunned down by elite troops deployed at Wanni Security Forces HQ while they attempted to beach the installation's defenses under the cover of the night.

For the first time in the history of the Eelam War, tigers launched a combined attack using their ground units, Mortar regiment and air tigers on the Wanni SF HQ. The black tigers were tasked with the destruction of Indian made Indra-2 radar installation while the mortar regiment and the air tigers kept SLA personnel 'busy'. The flaw in this seemingly brilliant plan was that the tigers did not know SLA  intelligence units had warned the base of similar attacks (in fact of a series of possible attacks) beforehand. Therefore the security had been tightened and elite troops had been deployed in the Wanni SF HQ.

10 members of LTTE's 'Black Tiger Commandos" were annihilated 200m from their target by a group of Special Forces soldiers deployed at the base. The SF unit hunted the hunters to perfection and did not suffer any casualties in the process. Although the Tamilnet front page proudly displays a group photograph of Black tigers, it was LTTE's mortar regiment and the air attack that did actual damage to the base premises and radar installation. The LTTE fired more than 60 artillery rounds which fell in and around base premises. In addition to these, two LTTE aircraft dropped two gravity bombs each weighting around 25KG. Speaking of damages, the Indra 2D radar installation sustained minor damages after being hit by shrapnel from exploded artillery shell or a gravity bomb. Several other structured in the base have also been slightly damaged due to artillery fire. 10 SLA soldiers have been killed and around 30 more security personnel have been injured. All of the injuries are due to artillery fire. The damage is nothing catastrophic as pro LTTE media claim.

It is believed that around 20 LTTE cadres had managed to infiltrate the FDL and stealthily move near the SF HQ. 10 of these were suicide cadres and the rest played support roles such as artillery spotting. SLA has recovered 11 bodies of LTTE fighters, including the bodies of all 10 suicide cadres. The rest may have escaped.

The other setback LTTE suffered in this attack came when one of their light aircraft was shot down over Mullaithiv skies. One recently acquired F-7G fighters managed to score SLAF's first air to air kill at around 3.50AM today when it shot the LTTE plane down. According to F-7 pilot and 59 division soldiers deployed on Mullaithivu frontline, the Zlin crashed into dense jungles south of Mullaithivu after being hit.

Despite the interception, one worrying factor that the SLA/SLAF should immediately address, remains. This is the ineffectiveness of ground based anti aircraft guns. LTTE aircraft managed to evade AA fire from the ground yet again and would have safely returned to Wanni had it not been for the interception by the F-7. SLAF cannot afford to allow the Zlins to deliver their payload as there is the remote possibility of LTTE aircraft accurately bombing the target unlike in previous attempts.

LTTE aircraft intercepted over Mullaithiv

LTTE launched artillery an air attacks on security forces HQ and adjoining airbase in Vavuniya early morning today (09th) at around 3.15AM. LTTE artillery began hitting the the area surrounding the base just before two incoming aircrafts were detected on SLAF radar. 10 soldiers have been killed and 18 more have been wounded in the incident. 3 policemen and 5 civilians have also been wounded. Injuries and deaths are said to be caused by exploding artillery shells. The Indian donated Indra2 radar which detected LTTE craft also sustained minor damages from one of the shells or bombs that fell near it.

More than 25 artillery shells and more than 40 mortars fell in and around base premises and the artillery duel continued for nearly two hours after the air attack. SLA have been countering LTTE artillery fire with Multi Barreled Rocket Launchers and other long range artillery guns stationed in multiple locations in Vavuniya. Special Forces (SF) units of the Sri Lanka Army have now been deployed in the are to hunt down any remaining tigers who managed to infiltrate the FDL last night.

Image: Some of the weapons captured from LTTE during Vavuniya attack. Source www.army.lk 

The LTTE had coordinated the attack so their aircraft would commence bombing just after the artillery strike diverted the attention of the base personnel. Several LTTE cadres including artillery spotters and suicide cadres had managed to infiltrate the FDL and sneak close to the base. Ground troops, amidst heavy artillery fire, have successfully engaged these cadres and around 10 LTTE bodies could be observed scattered near the base premises. SLA sources suggest that the LTTE death figure could be well above 20.

Two F-7G interceptors of the 5th Jet Squadron were airborne from Katunayake Air Base immediately after the LTTE planes were detected on radar. According to SLAF pilots , they have managed to shoot down an LTTE aircraft over Mullaithiv while it was returning from the aforementioned raid. The plane, after being shot down, had crashed into LTTE held territory in Mullaithiv district to an area some 20km away from Mullaithiv town.

Explosion in Colombo Fort

At least 9 people have been injured in an explosion that took place in Colombo Fort area a short while ago. The explosion has occurred in front of a hotel near Gasworks Junction (Gaspaha handiya). The injured have been admitted to Colombo national hospital.

It was a minor explosion and may have been caused by a hand grenade.

SLAF increases air attacks as tigers dig in to fight

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has been frequently bombing LTTE positions in the Wanni for the past week. LTTE positions in Nachchikuda, Kilinochchi, Mankulam and Pooneryn have been hit during these aerial raids. Not only have the Air Force deployed its bombers but increased use of gunships of the 9th attack helicopter squadron was also noticeable.

Air attacks have increased at a time when the LTTE has showed willingness to engage in close quarter fighting against advancing troops. Battles in southern Kilinochchi in the last 10 days have seen the LTTE deploying their experienced cadres heavily to the front line. The move was anticipated by the army and was only a question of 'when' the tigers would resort to this strategy rather than 'if'.

SLA troops closing in on Kilinochchi experienced fierce LTTE resistance in Nachchikuda, Akkarayankulam and Vennerikulam last week. The 20km long and 6 feet high earth bund the tigers have constructed runs between these areas. Both parties have suffered casualties while the SLA tried to breach the LTTE defense line. The tigers have managed to hold off the army advance on two occasions but these have not been 'flawless victories' as pro LTTE media claim. Military Intelligence has the names of 60 LTTE cadres killed in last week's fighting while the SLA has breached the LTTE line at more than 5 locations. Around 4KM of the LTTE line (at various locations) is now under SLA control.

Tigers have been reinforcing their defenses in Nachchikuda and Vennerikulam using cadres previously deployed in Muhamalai/Nagarkovil axis. They cannot afford to overdo this as SLA has 55 and 53 divisions deployed on the national front ready to advance south at any time. MI estimates the LTTE manpower on the Muhamalai/Kilali/Nagarkovil axis to be around 800.

Heavy losses for both sides in Wanni fighting

The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has lost around 30 soldiers in Nachchikuda and Akkarayankulam during the last three days fighting. LTTE fighters broke through the SLA FDL in two locations initially before the army was able to halt the advance. The LTTE itself has lost around 50 of its fighters during the counterattack against SLA forces advancing north. In addition, they've managed to capture a substantial amount of arms and ammunition as well.

The LTTE has handed over the bodies of 19 SLA soldiers fallen during battle at Nachchikudah and Akkarayankulama via the ICRC. The SLA has handed over 22 bodies of LTTE cadres earlier yesterday including the 12 killed in eastern province and 10 more killed in Mallavi.

Even larger battles will erupt between the two warring parties as SLA inches closer to the LTTE strongholds in Kilinochchi and Mullaithiv.

Exaggeration

Pro LTTE media, after starving for days without war news ended the trend yesterday by grossly exaggerating SLA casualty details in  Nachchikuda and Akkarayankulama. The following headline is from Pro LTTE Tamilnet.com; "Tigers locate 29 SLA bodies, 75 SLA killed, 100 wounded in Vanni". The actual SLA casualty figures are nowhere near what this report indicates.

The Sri Lanka Army has lost 15 soldiers in the fighting while 32 more received injuries. Tigers have captured the bodies of 7 soldiers. 17 LTTE fighters are confirmed killed and over 60 have been wounded. The SLA operations to the north of Nachchikuda and Akkarayankulam continue despite heavy LTTE resistance and desperate counterattacks.

Troops move into Mallavi town

57 division infantry units moved into Mallavi town at approximately 5.30PM today (1st). The town was attacked from three directions by the 57 division for several days despite fierce LTTE resistance. Around 20 LTTE cadres are believed to be killed in the latest round of fighting in the area. Search operations are still being conducted to hunt down any remaining LTTE resistance in the area.

Image: Sri Lankan flag hoisted in Mallavi town center.

Meanwhile the LTTE sea tiger base in Nachchikuda was hit by multiple air strikes today; Once by Kfir bombers and later by MI-24 helicopter gunships.

Mallavi under siege

Sri Lanka Army's 57 division has overrun a part of LTTE's defence line west of Mallavi and has taken control of several outposts in the area. 57 division infantry units backed by armor and heavy artillery moved forward from their positions yesterday morning despite heavy LTTE resistance. Mallavi is being attacked by three different fronts and SLA units are currently only 2km from the city.

The probable fall of the city will negate a strategic advantage held by the tigers as A-9 and A-32 main roads connect through Mallavi. Mallavi is one of the largest cities in LTTE held Wanni and is located along the road which connects Vellankulam and Mankulam. Although the city had a large civilian population, the LTTE forcibly moved the civilians further north towards Kilinochchi before the army laid siege to the city. According to Military Intelligence, civilians in Kilinochchi are now being transported towards Vishwamadu and Puthukuduirippu in Mullaithiv district.