LTTE fighting (a losing battle) for Kilinochchi

Despite fierce resistance, the LTTE's last bastion in the Northwestern coast at Nachchikudah may fall in the coming days. LTTE took steps to reinforce Nachchikudah with fighters from the Jaffna FDL. They have also dug a large trench from Nachchikudah to the interior of Karachchi situated in Kilinochchi District (to the northeast).

The trench war is seen primarily in Mannar and the Northern FDL where tank and Mechanized Infantry Units are lurking. However, it should be a matter of time before the trench is infiltrated by 58 troops specially trained for the task.

Special Forces and 3 Commando Regiment troops have started ambushing reinforcements from Kilinochchi to Nachchikuda, Tunukkai and Mallavi. The route from Kilinochchi to Nachchikuda/Uylankulam, Tunukkai and Mallavi is being infiltrated by Special Forces and 3 Commando elite teams on a regular basis. This is in addition to regular troop operations.

Read more,
http://defencewire.blogspot.com/2008/08/ltte-fighting-for-kilinochchi.html

Illuppakadavai captured

Troops from the 58 Division (Task Force 1), spearheaded by Commandos today reached the Sea Tiger camp at Illuppakadavai. A heavy firefight ensued today for nearly two hours. Tigers received a severe beating and survivors took tail. Exact number of casualties is unavailable.

The next targets lying in the 58s path are Vellankulam (7km), Nochchikudah (7km), Pallikuda and Pooneryn (20kms). The objective will be the latter, while the three former locations also have some significant sea Tiger Activity.

As Vellankulam ends, the Kilinochchi District begins. Thevampiddi Church to where the Our Lady of Madhu statue was removed to is also situated in Vellankulam. Thevampiddi is a small coastal village on the A-32. The 58 advance towards Vellankulam will happen simultaneously to the 57 advance towards Tunukkai and Mallavi on the eastern flank.

Sea Tigers have been at the receiving end lately, with cadres being killed and assets destroyed on a regular basis. The latest and most serious damage comes from an attack on the Sea Tiger base at Chalai in the Northeastern Coast.

Read more,
http://defencewire.blogspot.com/2008/07/illuppakadavai-captured.html
Photos,
MCNS, http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080720_02 and http://www.army.lk/morenews.php?id=14598

Wanni operation 17 th July 2008

Source,
http://www.defence.lk/videos/WanniOP20080717.wmv

Vidattaltivu Liberated; terrorists suffer fatal blow

Gallant soldiers of Army 58 Division and Commando Brigade have liberated the strategically important Vidattaltivu town this morning (July 16), said the defence sources in the Mannar warfront.

According to defence sources, Vidattaltivu is the biggest town situated on the North- Western coast of the Island, 20 km North of Mannar and is the main Sea-Tiger base cum the logistic hub of the LTTE in the West. This is the first time after the departure of Indian Peace Keeping Force in 1987 that troops have dominated the area , the sources added.

Defence observers are in the view that the lost of Vidattaltivu would cast a fatal blow on LTTE as it has lost the most important Sea-Tiger base in the present context. According to them the terrorists have no other option than to shift their Sea-Tiger assets to a makeshift camp further Northwards with the lost of its well-established sea borne operation base.

News and map,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080716_03

AFP DISTORTS: IT'S THE COMMANDO FLAG, NOT THE TIGER FLAG

On 16th July 2007 the AFP on its website news report has made a serious distortion in its caption given to the photograph, appearing with the news of the capture of Thoppigala.

The caption, in question, mentioned that the troops are holding the LTTE Flag, along with the National Flag. Whereas the troops are proudly hoisting the National Flag and the Sri Lanka army Commando Regiment Flag, (not the LTTE Flag.)

This is a clear case deliberate distortion of facts, done with a view to tarnish the image of Sri Lanka Army and to belittle the significance of the capture of Thoppigala, which is the culmination of the humanitarian mission of the liberation of the Eastern Province from the clutches of Tiger terrorism.

Photo and news extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=6637