Tiger frontlines remote controlled from bunkers

By Thissa Ravindra Perera
Air raids and deep penetration units confine LTTE area leaders to command and control their fighting units from the safety of their bunkers, thus demoralising the cadres

The confrontations on the Wanni battlefield are intensifying by the day. As the LTTE loses strategic locations in Mannar and Madhu, advancing troops are gradually taking over Tiger bases. Even elements of the Radha regiment, that provide security to Tiger leader Prabhakaran, have begun to retreat.

Meanwhile, 29 civilians from Mullaithivu and Kilinochchi crossed over into government controlled areas. Eight families surrendered in this manner to protect their children from the LTTE. The LTTE now plans to conscript Wanni civilians by force for armed conflict.

Government should launch operations to liberate the Wanni civilians from the oppressive rule of the LTTE. A guerilla organisation can’t survive without public support and proper leadership. Now, Wanni area leaders don’t come to the battlefields for fear of air attacks and of the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol. Tiger cadres in the battlefront are disappointed with the leadership that orders their sacrifice from underground bunkers. Even the people of the Wanni share their disappointment. And, if a national plan to win the hearts of the people is launched, the liberation of the Wanni could be accelerated.

While the security forces are trying to liberate the Wanni, according to analysts, now is the time to launch Military Psy-ops.

Americans used Military Psy-ops during the Gulf War. Four months before the beginning of the Gulf War, they launched a powerful radio station in Saudi Arabia and distributed thousands of radios among Iraqi civilians, introducing western music and thought to filter through to the public. It made Iraqi soldiers think less of the war and the sacrifice that they were going to make.

Similarly, the government could win the hearts of the Wanni civilians by airdropping leaflets and broadcasting programmes to educate the Tamil people and the LTTE cadres.

The LTTE cadres are becoming increasingly discouraged over the absence of their leaders Bhanu, Swarnam, Lakshman, Vidusha, Ramesh, Nagesh and Ratnam Master in the battlefield. This has made them run away from battles.

Today, the LTTE is losing both the support of the people and clever leadership. Prabhakaran, Pottu Amman, Soosai and other frontline leaders are limited to their underground bunkers because of air raids and LRRPs.

During the cease-fire, Military Intelligence reveals that several senior LTTE cadres got married, making them reluctant to leave their loved ones behind.

It is also revealed that Ramesh and Nagesh, who were top ranking military commanders in the Wanni, before the breakaway of Karuna Amman, are now building bunkers and constructing trenches in the North. LTTE cadres from the East, who were defending the Wanni, were arrested during Karuna’s breakaway. Now they have been released to the battlefront.

In the past the LTTE attacked in waves, which they are unable to do now.

58 Brigade under Brig. Aravindra Silva has been able to capture strategic areas. In an attack north of Manthai, the Army used MI 24 helicopters to attack the LTTE. And the infantry penetrated deep into LTTE strategic positions. Around 20 LTTE cadres were killed in these battles. Two soldiers were also killed, while eight others were wounded. The LTTE forcibly brought doctors from nearby hospitals to treat their wounded who were languishing in LTTE hospitals.

On the same day, the LTTE cadres attacked using 122 mm cannons. But after continuing this attack, for about two weeks, the LTTE had run out of ammunition. But, there was suspicion that they had been re-supplied with ammunition. The Air Force attacked them, using Kaffir jets. On the same day Mangalesh aka Balasundaram Aravindan, who was the second in command of the LTTE naval wing, was killed in Mannar. The army was able to confirm this through intercepting LTTE communications.

Sri Lankan Army was able to capture the LTTE forward defense line in the North of Paalakkudi, Mannar. 32 LTTE cadres died while, 47 were wounded according to intercepted LTTE communications. The 12th and the 6th Gemunu regiments were involved in this battle. Although several LTTE leaders including Bhanu and Lakshman ordered the LTTE cadres not to yield ground, the LTTE cadres engaged in battle were unable to thwart the determined attacks of the Sri Lankan Army.

The LTTE suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Singhe regiment, last November. This was a severe blow for the LTTE.

The 11th and 12th infantry of Gajaba Regiment was able to apprehend anther bunt of Yodawawa. The Maffelwatte area, which is in the north of Yodawawa, was also captured by the army.

Meanwhile the 57th infantry, which was under Brigadier Jagath Dias, was coming closer to Madu and Paltapided, slowly. The military was able to capture several bunkers in Periyakachan. At the same time the 59th regiment, which was under brigadier Nandana Udawatha, was attacking the LTTE bunkers in Valioya.

Meanwhile the LTTE was continuing setting up death traps in the Wanni battlefields to stop the advancement of the army. ( LTTE has plans to mix sciaenid into land mines. The motive of the LTTE is to kill soldier by poisoning him)

On March 3rd two captains, one from the Gemunu Regiment and the other from Armoured Division, who had gone to inspect the battle field, were caught in an anti-personnel landmine and lost their legs. Captain Keerthi, one of the officers, died suddenly. The army believes that the anti-personnel mine was poisoned.

The government should not let its guard down in Colombo. The current security arrangements are not adequate. Anyone can move through a checkpoint by just producing an ID. The security forces should be more careful because it has been revealed that LTTE is forging national IDs. Considering these developments new technologies like barcodes should be introduced to the national ID.

The government spends a lot of money to protect government ministers. They should also spend money on technologies that ensure the safety of the public like scanners. These scanners are very expensive as a result plans to buy them were halted. According to intelligence reports the LTTE has identified several security lapses in Colombo. The LTTE has used their agents who have also ‘bought’ several police officers. One inspector revealed of a plot to kill the President. Therefore the time has come where members of the army should also be investigated. This is because there are several security forces personnel who work for the LTTE. Therefore new security arrangements should be made to protect the VIPs, the general public and economic hubs.

Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka said that the Indian government has commended the Sri Lankan government’s war on terrorism. It has pledged its continuous support. The army Commander received a warm welcome when he visited India. He met Indian Defense Minister A.K. Anthony, Defence Secretary Vijay Singh, General Deepak Kafoor, Charlie Homy, Air Chief Marshal and Admiral Suresh Mehtha the Navy Commander. They discussed the present security situation and also future plans.