Navy Radars detect a large number of Indian fishing boats engaged in poaching in the Sri Lankan waters off Thalaimannar

Sri Lanka Navy concluded the search operation conducted today morning in the seas off Thalaimannar. The Navy launched the search operation when two of its small fibre glass boats were fired upon by two Indian fishing craft engaged in illegal fishing north of Thalaimannar close to Iranathivu yesterday (4th February 2008).

It is now suspected that LTTE sea tigers may have been involved in the incident. LTTE sea tigers often use the cover of Indian fishing boats to launch attacks on SLN vessels and craft. They mingle with Indian fishing boats to avoid detection and launch attacks endangering the lives of the Indian fishermen in the ensuing retaliatory fire. LTTE sea tigers have a track record of highjacking Indian trawlers and boats to be used in attacks against the Navy and to run clandestine arms smuggling activities across the Gulf of Mannar.


The Navy’s radars had detected approximately 400 Indian fishing trawlers in the Sri Lankan territorial waters north of Thalaimannar close to Iranathivu yesterday (04th February 2008) around 6.00 p.m.

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Sri Lanka air force fighter jets carried out their second sortie for the day

Sri Lanka air force fighter jets carried out their second sortie for the day at an LTTE communication relaying station located half kilometers south of Karadipokku junction, north of Kilinochchi town, this evening (February 5), defence sources said.

According to sources, the target was engaged around 3.25 p.m., after having observed the terrorists' response to the earlier air raid on the terror strategic nerve centre in Kaivelikulam, Puthukudiriuppu. Defence intelligence sources said that, the target indicated intense activity and also the possible presence of high profile terrorists.

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Air Force fighter jets raid LTTE's strategic nerve centre - Kaivelikulama

Sri Lanka air force fighter jets raided one of the main strategic command and control centres of the LTTE terrorists located at Kaivelikulama, Northwest of Puthukudiruppu this morning (February 5).

According to the defence intelligence source, the target was engaged on the real-time ground information that indicated intensified terror activity at the target. Also, it has been kept under thorough ground and air surveillance for considerable period, the sources added.

Fighter pilots have confirmed that the target was accurately hit.

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Indian fishing boats open fire on SLN vessels

Two fast attack craft (FAC) of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) came under small arms fire from a number of smaller Indian fishing boats in Thalaimannar area yesterday at around 6PM.

Two FACs on routine patrol in Mannar region were sent to investigate reports of a large number of vessels docked in Thalaimannar area. When SLN crafts first approached the suspicious boats, the fishermen had requested help from navy citing technical problems. However the fishing boats had opened fire on SLN vessels when the naval personnel tried to investigate the legality of their docking.

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http://defencenet.blogspot.com/2008/02/indian-fishing-boats-open-fire-on-sln.html