Striped Icarus’ airstrip

An accelerated project the LTTE has launched to build a clandestine airstrip capable of taking heavy aircraft in Mullaitivu has raised many an eyebrow in defence circles. LTTE cadres, as we reported yesterday, are said to be carrying out construction work like beavers with the help of heavy machinery day and night, paying scant regard to their vulnerability to airstrikes. Why are the Tigers in a mighty hurry to build such an airstrip at this juncture?

There are several possibilities. The LTTE is trapped in the Wanni with its sea and land supply routes being severed effectively. The on-going military onslaughts to clear the A-32 land route on the North-western seaboard and to block the LTTE’s access to the sea on the North-eastern littoral are a frightening proposition for Prabhakaran, who is also facing a military thrust targeting the soft underbelly of his Kilinochchi bastion. The army is poised to launch an offensive on the Muhamalai front anytime. Therefore, it may be argued that the LTTE may be trying to have an aerial escape route open for its leaders, should push come to shove.

It may also be that the LTTE is expecting an emergency consignment of military material to be delivered by a huge cargo carrier for the final battle in Kilinochchi. The possibility of a rescue operation with help from an external source cannot also be ruled out. It could also be that the LTTE has in its possession larger planes than the ones it has unveiled and it is planning to take them out as the last resort for some unknown mission. The runway project could even be a ploy to distract the SLAF from other targets or to lure it into a trap.

Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2008/08/16/editorial.html

Air Force fighter jets raid LTTE recruit training centre - Oddusuddan

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets launched air strikes targeting an LTTE recruit training centre in the Oddusuddan area, approximately 20 km Southwest of Mulaithiuvu this morning (July 24).

Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara speaking to defence.lk said that the air raids were launched at 7.30 AM. He said that the targeted camp was located 4km North of Muthuaiyankaddu Tank . The target was accurately obtained, he added citing the fighter pilots.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080724_02

MI-24s raid LTTE gathering point - Vedithalthivu

SLAF Mi-24 helicopter gun-ships raided an LTTE gathering point Tuesday(July 15), located 1km North of Vedithalthivu, Mannar at 3p.m.

The air strikes were launched supporting advancing ground troops at the Mannar front Air Force Spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said, adding that intensified LTTE activity was reported from the area.

Extracted from,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080715_05

Air strikes on LTTE line of bunkers and 3 LTTE artillery locations

WELIOYA: Air Force MI24 helicopters carried out air strikes on LTTE line of bunkers 3km north of MITHUKAIKULAM tank ahead in FDL today(25) around 1.15pm. These air strikes were made to support the ground troops in WELIOYA FDL. Air Force confirms that the air strikes were carried out effectively.

JAFFNA: Meantime today (25) around 1.45pm Air Force fighter jets bombed 3 LTTE artillery locations, 3km south of MUHAMALAI FDL. These air strikes too were made to support the ground troops in JAFFNA FDL. Air force confirms that the air strikes were carried out effectively.

Extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=13422

SLAF jets destroy key LTTE combat-logistic facility (15 June 2008)- Mullaittivu

Video Source,
http://defence.lk/videos/20080615_SLAF.wmv

LTTE Logistics & Combat Vehicle Conversion Plant on fire after air strike by Air Force jet aircraft

Air Force fighter jet aircraft successfully pounded a LTTE terrorist Logistics Base and Combat Vehicle Conversion Plant in the area of PUDUKUDIYIRIPPU , MULLAITIVU this morning (15) around 10.00.

Pilots confirm that the target was successfully engaged on accurate Military Intelligence and the entire terrorist complex was on fire after the air strike.

Extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=13192

Air strikes on a LTTE sea tiger camp

Air force fighter jets carried out an air strike on a LTTE sea tiger camp in 4km North to NAYARU area today(09) around 3.30pm.

Air force confirms that the air strikes are total success.

Extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=13073

LTTE chief sustained critical injuries in Nov. raid: Air chief

LTTE supremo V Prabhakaran may have sustained major injuries in the November last year aerial raid on a rebel base but reports of his treatment in India are "baseless", the Sri Lankan Air Force Chief has said.

The Air Force jets dropped 20 bombs during the air strike on the LTTE target on November 26 and they came under "very heavy anti-aircraft" fire from the rebels, Roshan Goonetilleke said participating in a political programme "Thulawa" organised by the state-owned Independent Television Network.

Goonetilleke said he was confident that Prabhakaran had been critically injured in the air strike and added that the war with the LTTE would be over "very shortly", but refrained from giving a time frame.

He, however, dismissed reports of the LTTE chief being treated in India as baseless, the 'Island' newspaper said.

The Air Force chief said he did not subscribe to the view that Prabhakaran had left the country for treatment. "A terrorist leader usually doesn't leave at a critical juncture like this as he fears that someone else might take his place."

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200802161441.htm

Sri Lanka Air Force Bombs LTTE “Raddha base”

Today (14), at around 10.30a.m, Sri Lanka Air force Fighter jets bombed a LTTE military base called “Raddha base” located in Teravilkulam, North East of Vishvamadukulam, It is one of the major LTTE terrorist bases in the area.

The air attack on the base was executed preciously using real time ground intelligence information, There fore the surprise attack left no time space for the LTTE terrorists to be prepared for any counter measures.

Fighter pilots confirmed the target was accurately hit and destroyed.

Extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=10678

SLAF fighter jets attack LTTE gathering point - Kilinochchi

SLAF fighter jets raided an LTTE gathering point this morning (February 6) at 8.30 in Thiruwe Aru, 1km Northwest of Iranamdu Tank.

According to Air Force sources, pilots launched precision attacks at the target. The aerial sorties were taken as information were received of a high profile LTTE gathering at the location, which was under constant surveillance of the security forces.

LTTE are yet to reveal losses, the sources said.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080206_03

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.

Read more,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080205_06

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.

Extracted from,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080205_01

LTTE maintains radio silence after air strike

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) maintained radio silence after a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) raid targeted one of its highly secured military complexes deep inside the jungles east of Iranamadu today morning. LTTE also ordered all shops in Kilinochchi town to be closed down immediately following the aerial raid.

SLAF used 6 fighter jets simultaneously in one of the largest air strikes in the 4th Eelam War. However there is still no confirmation on any injuries caused to the LTTE leader Prabhakaran, who was supposedly present at the base during the bombing.

Read more,
http://defencenet.blogspot.com/2008/01/ltte-maintains-radio-silence-after-air.html

Sri Lanka vows to kill Tamil Tiger leader

Sri Lanka's government has marked the birthday of Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran with a vow to kill him.

The island's powerful defence secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapakse, said Colombo now had the upper hand in the long-running conflict, with the elusive guerrilla chief limited in both his movements and ability to score strategic victories.

Earlier this month the political head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), S.P. Thamilselvan, was killed in what the government said was a precision air strike on the north and not a mere lucky hit.

"The killing of Thamilselvan sent a very powerful message: they know we have good intelligence on their movements," Rajapakse told AFP in an interview Monday at the heavily-fortified defence ministry in Colombo.

Read more,
http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/071127014209.pwzwzbh1.html

Air strikes pound LTTE satellite, communication center and meeting place

Sri Lankan Air Force jet fighters pounded a LTTE satellite communications and coordinating center in Dharmapuram area, North East of Kilinochchi today (26) at 7.20 a.m.

The air strike was carried out after confirmation of information and intelligence gathered that the center was also as a clandestine meeting place for LTTE leaders.

Air Force pilots affirm that the air strike was a success.

Extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=8836

LTTE chief’s days are numbered: air force chief

Sri Lankan Air Force chief, Air Marshal Roshan Goonatilleke has said the days of LTTE chief Velupillai Prabakaran are “numbered” and his force would “go all out to get rid” of him soon.

In an interview to the state run English weekly Sunday Observer, he said it was not a difficult task for the Air Force to get at Prabakaran as he was confined to a very limited area in Wanni.

“I do not think it is that difficult for us to get at him now. We will find him somehow soon. We need a great deal of patience,” he said. Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake told journalists days after the November 2 raid on Kilinochchi in which the LTTE political wing chief Thamilchelvam was killed, that the Air Force would hunt down senior leaders of the LTTE.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/12/stories/2007111254151400.htm

Lanka on high alert after Thamilselvan killing

Sri Lanka went on a high alert on Saturday to guard against any reprisal attack by Tamil Tigers following the killing of their political wing chief S P Thamilselvan in an air raid by government forces.

"We are not willing to take any chances. It could be a dangerous scenario if we don't gear up fully. We are on an alert," defence spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said.

Security personnel were seen reinforcing the snap checkpoints in Colombo and checking for any suspicious person or vehicle.

The funeral of Thamilselvan and five other leaders of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who were killed in a raid by Sri Lankan air force in the rebel-dominated northern Kilinochchi on Friday, is scheduled to be held on Monday, according to sources.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200711031861.htm

LTTE terror leader Thamilchelvan and 05 others killed in SLAF air raid

Citing Wanni based LTTE sources; pro-LTTE media confirm the death of LTTE's so-called, Political chief Thamilchelvan (43), following a pin-point air raid carried out by SLAF fighter jets, at Thuruaiaru in Iranamadu around 6 this morning (November 2).

The other high profile terrorists killed in the air raid were identified as Anpumani (Alex), Mikuthan, Neathaji, Aadchiveal and Vaakaikkumaran.

According to informed sources, self styled Lt. Colonel Anupumani alias Alex was the chief of LTTE's "strategic communication division". He was the person in charge of handling all communication activities between LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran and the other international terrorist agents.

The SLAF air sorties were carried out following extensive air surveillance and on real-time ground information, military sources earlier reported.

Read more,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20071102_10
Photos,
http://www.sankathi.net/news/0211/people_news.html

Sri Lankan air force attacks LTTE intelligence gathering

Sri Lankan air force fighter jets pounded a regular gathering place of LTTE's intelligence wing leaders on Monday in the north eastern part of the country, the defence ministry said here.

The jets took off from the Katunayake airbase near Colombo and engaged the target at Puthukuduiruppu in Mullaitivu, which has been under air surveillance for a considerable time, it said quoting sources.

"The air raid has been launched after real-time ground information revealed a gathering of LTTE intelligence heads in the morning at the targeted location."

Read more,
http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?r

Air Force destroys Sea Tiger training facility -Puthukkudiyiruppu

Sri Lanka air force fighter jets this morning (September 29) destroyed a key training facility of the Sea Tigers located at Thevipuram, Northwest of Puthukkudiyiruppu, air force sources said.

A combined air raid of MIG 27 and Kafir fighter jets launched at 8.10.a.m accurately hit the terrorists' training camp which is known as L2 (Lima two) , the sources added.

Information gathered through air surveillance and ground intelligence for a long time have confirmed that the target had been used to train LTTE cadres on seaborne and amphibian operations. Further, real time ground information has confirmed that the activities in the targeted camp have largely increased since last two- three weeks.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070929_02