1 dead, 9 injured in LTTE suicide attack in Vavuniya

A Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber blew himself up in Vavuniya town today, causing 1 death and 9 injuries. A three wheeler carrying police personnel seemed to be the target. Driver of the three wheeler (a civilian) was killed and 9 others including 7 security forces personnel and 2 civilians sustained injuries. The suicide bomber appeared to have used a bicycle to reach the target. This incident confirms previous intelligence reports of LTTE leadership commanding a group of Black Tigers to carry out a series of attacks against ‘smaller’ targets such as troop transports, in public areas.

Meanwhile a group of LTTE fighters raided a TMVP (Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal) base in Thikiliveddai, Batticaloa today (28th) at 2AM in the morning.  2 TMPV cadres were killed and a further 7 were injured in the incident. Pro LTTE media incorrectly stated that “a joint military and paramilitary camp” was attacked. DefenceNet can confirm that there was no SLA presence in this small TMVP base which was located deep inside jungles north of Batticaloa.

Explosives found in Negombo

More than 150KG of C-4 explosives were uncovered in Kudapaluwa, Negombo yesterday during a search operation. A suicide jacket, detonators and a pair of night vision goggles were also found along with explosives. This latest discovery comes on the backdrop on intelligence warnings on increased Black Tigers activity in Colombo and suburbs. MI warns that several black tiger squads have already infiltrated Colombo to carry our attacks on VVIPs and economic targets as tigers face increasing pressure on the Wanni battlefront.

Meanwhile the army’s 57 division saw the addition of 57-4 brigade as forces prepare for a major push towards Kilinochchi. 57-4 brigade will be commanded by Lt. Colonel Senaka Wijesuriya; a veteran soldier whose leadership played a significant role in the recent capture of Mulankavil and Palampiddi. There are already 3 brigades attached to the 57 division 57-1, 57-2 and 57-3 which have all played their role to perfection in Wanni operation.

Meanwhile the Air Force continued to aggressively engage LTTE targets in Wanni. The latest LTTE facility to be hit in a series of SLAF strikes is a target identified as a black tiger training facility under direct coordination of Pottu Amman. The base was located in Rathnapuran, north of Iranamadu. LTTE casualty details in this raid are not available as of now.

1 soldier was killed and two more were seriously injured when tigers directed artillery fire towards Gurunagar yesterday morning. Both parties exchanged artillery fire for nearly 45 minutes after LTTE shells fell on SLA held territory in Jaffna.

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There are plenty of sites  that report and discuss current military affairs (DefenceNet included) but there are only a handful sites dedicated to those who sacrificed their lives in the name of the motherland. A new site, srilankanwarheroes.com, dedicated to soldiers who excelled in battlefield and to those who made the supreme sacrifice, went online last week. In addition to information on War Heroes, the site also hosts an Image Gallery.

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LTTE targets near Pooneryn and Kilinochchi hit in SLAF night time bombing raids

The Sri Lanka Air Force was at one point heavily criticized for it’s inability to conduct night missions. Since then, from night time bombing raids (SLAF have been flying night missions for a while now) to an aerial interception of a tiger Zlin at 4AM, the Air Force has definitely improved its night flying capabilities. On the 23rd and 24th of this month, SLAF hit two LTTE targets in Pooneryn and Kilinochchi under the cover of the night; A LTTE safe house in Piramantalkulam, Kilinochci was bombed by Kfir bombers at 8PM on the 23rd while MI-24 gunships raided what was believed to be a LTTE radar installation in Nagavanthurai, Pooneryn yesterday night at 10PM. There are no confirmed details on LTTE casualties in these raids so far.

Meanwhile several civilians in Colombo panicked after mistaking a low flying SLAF PT-6 aircraft for a Zlin143 which the tigers use in their ‘bombing missions’. This was in fact yet another test conducted to verify the proper functioning of the air defence radar system and was nothing out of the ordinary.

In other news 13 bodies of LTTE cadres killed in battles at Akkarayankulam and Mallavi were handed over to the ICRC yesterday. According to SLA sources, more than 40 LTTE cadres have been killed in the past two days on these two fronts alone.

Airstrikes continue as troops inch closer to Kilinochchi

The Sri Lanka Air Force continued to pound LTTE targets north of Kilinochchi to support infantry divisions advancing towards the town. 3 targets located north of Akkarayankulam and Vennerikulam have been raided by SLAF bombers in simultaneous bombing missions. Meanwhile ground troops have been inching close to Kilinochchi despite heavy LTTE resistance. 57 division units are currently only 3.5km from the borders of Kilinochchi town and Special Forces units are operating even deeper inside LTTE controlled territory. In Vennerikulam, the 58 division has taken under their control large parts of the massive earth bund the tigers had built earlier. These gains however did not come easy. Both parties have suffered casualties in battles south of Kilinochchi that raged on for the past two weeks. Even bloodier battles are to be expected as troops close in on the de facto capital of the LTTE.

As reported earlier, the LTTE has called in several units deployed in the national front to defend Kilinochchi. SLA’s 55 division, who are also deployed in the same area, have been conducting limited operations although not much publicity was given. For the last 3 days, small attack teams of the 55 division would venture into LTTE front line in Nagarkovil/Kilali and launch hit and run attacks on enemy bunkers on the FDL. On top of continuous pressure mounted by the SLA, recent demise of LTTE’s Kilai area leader has only made matters worse for the LTTE in this front.

Misinformation surrounding gas attack

On the 16th of this month, 16 soldiers of the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) deployed on the frontline were evacuated from the battlefield after they showed signs of breathing difficulty. Initially it looked as if the tigers had used a chemical weapon on the advancing troops. It was later revealed that what the tigers used was CS gas, a non lethal agent that is even used in riot control.

Meanwhile several media institutions published a different story regarding the incident. The following is quoted from The HIndu: “However, a Special Forces soldier in the northern war zone told The Associated Press on Wednesday that a group of his comrades were hit by what appeared to be a burn agent loaded into a shoulder-fired rocket during a battle in the Kilinochchi district on Monday.”. We at DefenceNet would like to confirm that there is no truth whatsoever to this media report. No SLA deaths were caused due to a chemical attack and even the 16 soldiers affected by CS gas have returned to battlefield.

However the fact that LTTE has not used a lethal chemical so far does not mean there is no risk from such an attack. LTTE has repeatedly proven that they will take whatever steps necessary to ensure their organization's survival. Therefore precautions must be taken to face such an attack (if it ever materializes). Gas masks have been issued to several units (but not all) on the Wanni frontline following the CS gas attack. Whether the currently issued gas masks would be effective in the event of LTTE using a more powerful chemical remains to be seen.

Meanwhile more than 25 sea tigers have been confirmed killed in yesterday's sea battle. Sea tigers lost 3 large vessels and 7 smaller craft at the hands of Navy’s SBS (Special Boat Squadron) and newly formed RABS (Rapid Action Boat Squadron). RABS was formed with the intention of boosting Navy’s capabilities to execute rapid attacks in shallow and deep waters. RABS uses fast and easily maneuverable locally built craft in most of their operations. Apart from the ability to execute quick attacks, RABS will be an immense help in combating one of the deadliest weapons of sea tigers – Explosive laden boats manned by suicide cadres.

Sea tigers and Navy clash near Iranathivu Island as ground troops make progress in Akkarayankulam

An LTTE boat movements near the Iranathivu Island off Nachchikuda were attacked by SLN patrol craft today (18th) at around 11am in the morning. According to available information 10 sea tiger crafts were destroyed in the confrontation. This includes 3 large attack craft of the tigers as well as 7 smaller craft. The sea tiger flotilla lead by an individual identified as 'Kadar' began to retreat towards LTTE controlled coastline when the fleet sustained damages due to SLN fire. The purpose of the LTTE boat movement is still not known.

Meanwhile 12 SLA soldiers were killed and 30 more were injured during fighting that took place yesterday (17th) and today (18th) in Akkarayankulam, located west of Kilinochchi. Troops have managed to secure the Karambakulam tank bund in the process. Two LTTE bodies, 5 T-56 weapons and 1 RPG left behind by the tigers have been recovered by SLA. More than 40 LTTE cadres have been killed in these fights and a similar number have been injured.

In other news pro LTTE media accused the 'DPU' of army of blowing up a civilian transport along the A9 today. This is usually a telltale sign of an impending LTTE attack on a civilian target in the south. The Sri Lanka Army does not despatch the LRRP, one of it's most valuable resources, to hunt down random civilian targets.

LTTE safe house bombed - Vattakachchi

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) conducted a bombing raid on a LTTE safe house at Vattakachchi, Kilinochchi at 6.30AM today (17th). According to intelligence reports the safe house was frequently used by LTTE leader Velupillei Prabhakaran. Damages caused by the raid are not known at this time. It is also not known if Prabhakaran or any other senior LTTE leader was present at the safe house at time of bombing.

Meanwhile pro LTTE media have been constantly posting news reports of SLAF raids that target civilian settlements. These reports are not accurate. The LTTE however has the habit of placing their military installations in densely populated areas. One of the most recent examples is that their intelligence HQ located in Kilinochchi west was placed between offices of several Non Governmental Organizations (NGO). SLAF raided this spot on the 9th of September and the pilot reported that he was able to accurately target the LTTE installation without causing collateral damage. Further confirmation of the pilot's report came from aid workers placed in the area who later returned to government held territory as per new directives.

Explosion in Horton Place - Colombo 7

An explosion has occurred in Horton Place, Colombo 7 few minutes ago. According to available information the bomb was placed inside a bus. However, the timely detection of the suspicious parcel which was on one the seats at the back of the bus, has averted disaster.

The explosion occured inside a CTB bus bound from Moratuwa to Mattakkuliya (Route 155). An alert passenger who noticed the suspicious parcel had notified the conductor.There were no people inside the bus when the bomb went off.

4 people received minor injuries in the incident. One of them was admitted to the Colombo National hospital.

Fighting erupts south of Kilinochchi

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were locked firefights south of tiger stronghold of Kilinochchi since yesterday (15th). This front has been relatively quite for the past week, after both parties suffered casualties in major confrontations in Akkarayakulam and Vennerikulam. Fighting was reported in Vennerikulam North, Akkarayankulam, Pannei Kandamadu and Vannikulam when LTTE fighters resisted limited attacks by SLA's 58 division. Fighting was also reported in Andankulam in Mullaithiv district where the 59 division has been conducting operations. Around 20 LTTE cadres have been killed in these clashes and a similar number have sustained injuries. 4 SLA soldiers have been killed and 24 more have been wounded.

Meanwhile several of the remaining Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) in Kilinochchi have notified that they will cross over to government held territory by today. It is also reported that LTTE has forcibly captured some of the heavy vehicles and supplies from several NGOs that exited Kilinochci in the past few days.