Saturday, December 25, 2010
RUWAN WEERAKOON: Prabakaran and LTTE: Game over
RUWAN WEERAKOON: Prabakaran and LTTE: Game over: " by RUWAN WEERAKOON Prabakaran and LTTE: Game overLTTE leader Prabhakaran’s body was recovered by the Sri Lanka Army yesterd..."
Friday, December 24, 2010
PRABAKARAN AND LTTE: GAME OVER
by RUWAN WEERAKOON
Prabakaran and LTTE: Game over
LTTE leader Prabhakaran’s body was recovered by the Sri Lanka Army yesterday morning. He was in Tiger uniform and had been killed by a sniper bullet to his forehead.
The 4 Vijayaba Regiment(VIR) troops led by Lt. Col. Rohitha Aluvihare under 53 Division commanded by Maj. Gen. Kamal Goonaratne, found the body of the terrorist leader lying on the bank of the Nanthikadal lagoon. The sniper was waiting from 6:00 a.m. to take his target.
The 4 Vijayaba Regiment(VIR) troops led by Lt. Col. Rohitha Aluvihare under 53 Division commanded by Maj. Gen. Kamal Goonaratne, found the body of the terrorist leader lying on the bank of the Nanthikadal lagoon. The sniper was waiting from 6:00 a.m. to take his target.
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Around 7:00 a.m., Special Force (SF) sniper spotted through his telescope, a short heavily guarded Tiger leader in uniform, took careful aim and pulled the trigger. He saw very clearly the target being felled and, at the same time, he saw the rest of the LTTE cadres pull the body away. The sniper, meanwhile, gunned down the rest of the LTTE cadres as well.
A frantic message originated from a high frequency radio belonging to LTTE leader Prabhakaran, to Tiger intelligence leader Pottu Amman, saying, “Our leader has been shot.”
At the other end, Pottu Amman asked, “How is his condition?”
“He is no more with us,” said the desperate voice of the operator. There was no reply from Pottu Amman.
This radio message was intercepted by Military intelligence on Monday (18) around 7:40 a.m. The body of the world’s most ruthless terrorist leader was identified yesterday. Although reports circulated that the body was not found, it has been confirmed that Prabhakaran is dead. This was also confirmed by a close bodyguard of Prabhakaran, who was captured by the SF. He had said that his leader (Prabhakaran) had died. This hardcore LTTE cadre has been handed over to Military Intelligence for further questioning.
A frantic message originated from a high frequency radio belonging to LTTE leader Prabhakaran, to Tiger intelligence leader Pottu Amman, saying, “Our leader has been shot.”
At the other end, Pottu Amman asked, “How is his condition?”
“He is no more with us,” said the desperate voice of the operator. There was no reply from Pottu Amman.
This radio message was intercepted by Military intelligence on Monday (18) around 7:40 a.m. The body of the world’s most ruthless terrorist leader was identified yesterday. Although reports circulated that the body was not found, it has been confirmed that Prabhakaran is dead. This was also confirmed by a close bodyguard of Prabhakaran, who was captured by the SF. He had said that his leader (Prabhakaran) had died. This hardcore LTTE cadre has been handed over to Military Intelligence for further questioning.
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The Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) had immediately asked his intelligence agents to get a positive confirmation on 18th morning. The DMI got confirmation after a few clarifications and its Director telephoned the Army Commander to inform him that LTTE leader Prabhakaran was dead. Around 9:00 a.m., the Army Commander informed the Defence Secretary and the Commander-in-Chief, the President, that Prabhakaran was indeed dead.
Battle well planned
As mentioned in this column last week, 58 Division under Brig. Shavendra Silva advanced north to south, and during the last stages of the battle, they were supported by the SF under Col. Athula Kodippili. The 11 SLLI linked with the 59 Division close to the beachfront, thus cutting off the sea escape route for the LTTE.
The 9 GW under Lt. Col. Lal Chandrasiri advanced towards the LTTE stronghold, which was, by now, limited only to 400 x 500 metres on Sunday (17), and consolidated their positions.
On Sunday (17) night, at around 10:00 p.m., the SF came under heavy attack by a group of LTTE cadres, along with several suicide cadres. The SF troopers opened fire at the group of Tigers while they were at a distance. This attack killed LTTE political head B. Nadesan, a ‘military commander’ Ramesh and LTTE Peace Secretariat head Puleethevan.
These attackers had disguised as civilians and crossed the Nanthikadal lagoon to mount an attack on 53 Division and open up an escape route for their leaders.
However, Army Intelligence had received prior information about the attempt by the LTTE to infiltrate from across the Nanthikadal lagoon, where 53 Division was located. The Army Chief had given instructions on Sunday (17) to the Commando Brigade Commander Ralph Nugera to deploy Commandos at Karaiyamulliwaikkal.
Battle well planned
As mentioned in this column last week, 58 Division under Brig. Shavendra Silva advanced north to south, and during the last stages of the battle, they were supported by the SF under Col. Athula Kodippili. The 11 SLLI linked with the 59 Division close to the beachfront, thus cutting off the sea escape route for the LTTE.
The 9 GW under Lt. Col. Lal Chandrasiri advanced towards the LTTE stronghold, which was, by now, limited only to 400 x 500 metres on Sunday (17), and consolidated their positions.
On Sunday (17) night, at around 10:00 p.m., the SF came under heavy attack by a group of LTTE cadres, along with several suicide cadres. The SF troopers opened fire at the group of Tigers while they were at a distance. This attack killed LTTE political head B. Nadesan, a ‘military commander’ Ramesh and LTTE Peace Secretariat head Puleethevan.
These attackers had disguised as civilians and crossed the Nanthikadal lagoon to mount an attack on 53 Division and open up an escape route for their leaders.
However, Army Intelligence had received prior information about the attempt by the LTTE to infiltrate from across the Nanthikadal lagoon, where 53 Division was located. The Army Chief had given instructions on Sunday (17) to the Commando Brigade Commander Ralph Nugera to deploy Commandos at Karaiyamulliwaikkal.
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On Monday (18) early morning around 2:30 a.m., the remaining LTTE leaders and cadres mounted a massive assault with heavy firepower across the A35 road, and managed to breach the 53 Division defense line and advance through the lagoon. Meanwhile, the SF and the Commandos who were expecting the terrorists, attacked them with MPMGs (Multi Purpose Machine Gun). This counterassault took the LTTE by surprise.
Commando Brigade Commander Col. Ralph Nugera had instructed his men to search among the mangroves in the Natnhikadal lagoon, for any hidden terrorists. The commandoes attacked them and were able to recover more than 40 bodies, including leaders, by around mid afternoon.
While troops advanced into the ‘No Fire’ Zone (NFZ), the Army Chief ordered the SF and the Commandos to be held as a reserve force. He knew that at any time the rest of the LTTE leaders would attempt to breach a defence line. And they killed over 100 LTTE cadres and leaders
While conducting search and clear operations in the general area of Vellamullaiwaikkal, in the evening of Monday (18), troops of 53 and 58 Divisions recovered over 350 bodies of LTTE cadres killed during the battle. Infantrymen of 53 Division have recovered 181 bodies, along with a large quantity of weapons and ammunition, Military sources said. Over Rs 10 million in cash was also found in the possession of a killed LTTE leader, Military sources added.
Commando Brigade Commander Col. Ralph Nugera had instructed his men to search among the mangroves in the Natnhikadal lagoon, for any hidden terrorists. The commandoes attacked them and were able to recover more than 40 bodies, including leaders, by around mid afternoon.
While troops advanced into the ‘No Fire’ Zone (NFZ), the Army Chief ordered the SF and the Commandos to be held as a reserve force. He knew that at any time the rest of the LTTE leaders would attempt to breach a defence line. And they killed over 100 LTTE cadres and leaders
While conducting search and clear operations in the general area of Vellamullaiwaikkal, in the evening of Monday (18), troops of 53 and 58 Divisions recovered over 350 bodies of LTTE cadres killed during the battle. Infantrymen of 53 Division have recovered 181 bodies, along with a large quantity of weapons and ammunition, Military sources said. Over Rs 10 million in cash was also found in the possession of a killed LTTE leader, Military sources added.
Troops sandwich Prabakaran, cadres
The SF lost many troops including one SF Commanding Officer Col Lafir. His body was recovered by an SF team that landed in helicopters despite heavy fire. That team was led by Prasanna de Silva, whose brilliant leadership helped the 59 Brigade to break the stalemate in the NFZ and sandwiched Prabhakaran.
Troops of 59 Division advanced from the south of the newly demarcated NFZ along the coastline, into the areas south of Vellamullivaikkal. The 59-3 Brigade under Lt. Col. Sujeeva Yapa with three Battalions under his command, 11 GR led by Maj. W.M.D.S. Gunawardane, 4 Sinha Regiment (SR) led by Maj. I.K. Lokukatagoda, 16 SLLI led by Maj. B.J. Lekamge, on Monday night surmounted the earth bund and crossed into the newly demarcated NFZ across the Nanthikadal lagoon and rescued 50,000 civilians held hostage by the LTTE, on Sunday (17).
The initial forward thrust was followed by the induction of the SF, resulting in a rapid wipeout of the remaining terrorist resistance in the area.
59 Division troops have brought around 500ms of the earth bund under their control. While troops were breaching the bund, the LTTE had deployed five suicide cadres in its attempt to resist the troop’s advance. The 59 Division troops had reached the Vellamullivaikkal area in Sarwarthottam when the LTTE launched five attacks deploying suicide cadres. As mentioned earlier, 58 and 57 Division advanced into the NFZ from north to south, and when the 59 Division too advanced from south to north, the remaining LTTE cadres were sandwiched in the area. To avoid being thus sandwiched, the LTTE attempted to breach 53 Division defence line, to try and escape through the Nanthikadal lagoon. But their attempt was foiled by the Special Forces Commander Col. Athula Kodippilai and Col. R. Nugera who wiped out the LTTE Terrorist leadership and the rest of the terrorists.
The SF lost many troops including one SF Commanding Officer Col Lafir. His body was recovered by an SF team that landed in helicopters despite heavy fire. That team was led by Prasanna de Silva, whose brilliant leadership helped the 59 Brigade to break the stalemate in the NFZ and sandwiched Prabhakaran.
Troops of 59 Division advanced from the south of the newly demarcated NFZ along the coastline, into the areas south of Vellamullivaikkal. The 59-3 Brigade under Lt. Col. Sujeeva Yapa with three Battalions under his command, 11 GR led by Maj. W.M.D.S. Gunawardane, 4 Sinha Regiment (SR) led by Maj. I.K. Lokukatagoda, 16 SLLI led by Maj. B.J. Lekamge, on Monday night surmounted the earth bund and crossed into the newly demarcated NFZ across the Nanthikadal lagoon and rescued 50,000 civilians held hostage by the LTTE, on Sunday (17).
The initial forward thrust was followed by the induction of the SF, resulting in a rapid wipeout of the remaining terrorist resistance in the area.
59 Division troops have brought around 500ms of the earth bund under their control. While troops were breaching the bund, the LTTE had deployed five suicide cadres in its attempt to resist the troop’s advance. The 59 Division troops had reached the Vellamullivaikkal area in Sarwarthottam when the LTTE launched five attacks deploying suicide cadres. As mentioned earlier, 58 and 57 Division advanced into the NFZ from north to south, and when the 59 Division too advanced from south to north, the remaining LTTE cadres were sandwiched in the area. To avoid being thus sandwiched, the LTTE attempted to breach 53 Division defence line, to try and escape through the Nanthikadal lagoon. But their attempt was foiled by the Special Forces Commander Col. Athula Kodippilai and Col. R. Nugera who wiped out the LTTE Terrorist leadership and the rest of the terrorists.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sri Lanka Army captured yesterday afternoon, Vellankulam, the last Tiger bastion in the Mannar distric
By Ruwan Weerakoon in Colombo
Colombo, 03 August, (Asiantribune.com): Sri Lanka Army captured yesterday afternoon, Vellankulam, the last Tiger bastion in the Mannar district.
Map of Mannar
Map of MannarBy capturing Vellankulam, Sri Lanka Army’s 58 Division has liberated the entire Mannar district within eight months period. Army’s 58 Division commenced their operation to Liberate Mannar district in November 2007. Sri Lanka Army’s 58 Division is commanded by Brigadier Shavindra Silva.
To liberate Mannar, 58 Division mobilized 12 Infantry Battalions, and Commando Brigade, supported by the 5th Armoured Corp regiment, 15 Artillery Regiment, 9 Signal and Engineers.
In this operation, Sri Lanka Air Force deployed their MI 24 fighter helicopters to attacked LTTE bunkers and to bring reinforcement to Army personnel, meanwhile ground troops had given perfect locations of LTTE military installation which enabled the Air Force fighter jets to bomb the exact targets and destroy.
A battle front officer told Asian Tribune that the LTTE’s Jaffna commander Thleepan was commanding the Mannar battle front and he was given instruction over the radio to hold on to the position and not allow Army to enter Vellankulam, but Sri Lanka army faced easily the resistance forthcoming from LTTE and chase them away.
Infantry troops with the backing of artillery, captured the Vellankulam, the last coastal town in the Mannar district, located in the Northwest coast, along the A- 32 Road. Reports revealed that some soldiers have seen fleeing LTTE carders carrying bodies of their dead carders and that of those wounded.
After the capture of Velankulam, Sri Lanka Army’s 58 Division was seen marching towards Kilinonochi, while, 571, 572 and 573 Brigades attached to the 57th Division and elite Special Forces are tactically moving towards Thunukkai, Mallavi and Mankulam - which is located just 24 km from Kilinonochi Town.
In the meantime, the 572 Brigade which captured Vannivilankulam, south of Mallavi is now said to be moving towards Mankulam, and further north.
The Tigers are desperately trying to hold on to Mankulam, summoning additional cadres from the north to Mankulam to strengthen their defence.
One officer who commands the battle front said 'Army don't have forward defence line, but the Army do have forward offensive line'
- Asian Tribune -
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