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Armed
forces on the ascendancy
By
D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Significant strides made by the armed forces on
the one hand and consequential withdrawals (strategic or otherwise)
by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on the other
have caused rapid shifts in the frontline positions of both
sides in the northern theatre of conflict.
While the armed forces are gaining the upper hand on the northern
battlefront, the LTTE remains defiant and unpredictable.
Despite the euphoria among sections in the south about a total
Tiger defeat being imminent, the LTTE, it must be emphasised,
is not a spent force yet.
There is much fight and resilience left in the LTTE and the
coming weeks may demonstrate that the Tigers, though ‘down,’
were never ‘out.’
‘Advantage Army’
Whatever the future may hold, there is no denying that as
far as ongoing positional warfare is concerned, it is a case
of ‘Advantage Army’ and that the LTTE is being relentlessly
forced to fall back from previously held positions.
The symbolic and strategic advance by the armed forces was
made in the North Western District of Mannar.
When hostilities began escalating in July last year, the armed
forces held only the Island of Mannar and a ‘little’
bit of real estate in the Mannar mainland.
Continuous yet intermittent clashes in Mannar saw the armed
forces moving forward slowly and steadily. The speed increased
after the fall of Madhu in mid-April this year. Thereafter,
the military drive gathered momentum.
On August 2, the armed forces announced that Vellankulam,
the northernmost town in Mannar District, was taken.
The fall of Vellankulam meant that the entire Mannar District
was now under the government’s writ. Since Vellankulam
was virtually the LTTE’s last bastion in Mannar, the
Tigers had dug in getting ready for the long haul in preventing
troop advancement along the Mannar-Pooneryn Road, known as
A32 Highway.
The river Paali Aaru that originates in the Omanthai-Puliyankulam
region of Vavuniya District flows north west and ultimately
reaches the sea between Moondrampitty and Vellankulam on the
Mannar coast.
The Tigers had set up their defences along the Paali Aaru
from the Mannar coast right up to Kalvilaankulam on the Vellankulam-Thunukkaai-Mankulam
Road. The 58 Division or Task Force One commanded by Brig.
Shavendra de Silva mounted a multi-pronged assault on Tiger
defences south of Vellankulam.
Military tactics
The assault was a combination of forward movement by general
infantry, mechanised infantry, and incursions by Special Force
Commando teams and supported by armour, artillery and aerial
firepower. Apart from utilising its superior military capability
to its advantage, the 58 Division also engaged in military
tactics which outmanoeuvred the LTTE just like what happened
in the earlier fight for Vidathaltheevu.
Troops from 10 Ceylon Light Infantry and 4 Gajaba Regiment
of 58 Division proceeded towards Vellankulam hugging the coast
and launched a frontal assault on LTTE positions in Vellankulam-Paali
Aaru. Meanwhile, troops of 12 Gajaba Regiment ventured eastwards
into the interior, crossed the Paali Aaru and engaged the
Tigers at Kalivilaan, which is about three kilometres away
from Thunukkaai. Troops withdrew after prolonged fighting
for two days.
The early hours of Thursday, July 31, saw small Commando units
attached to Commando Regiment 2 infiltrating through LTTE
lines in the jungles between Vellankulam and Kalvilaankulam.
They were followed by some other units from 58-3 Brigade.
Thereafter, troops from 12 Gajaba Regiment commenced a frontal
attack on Tiger defences located between Vellankulam and Kalvilan
at a place called Thehilamaavil.
It appeared that the Tigers were caught between both columns
of soldiers. The defences were shattered and breached; 12
Gajaba soldiers then moved forward and by morning on Friday,
August 1, had entered Kilinochchi District.
While Vellankulam is the northernmost town in Mannar, the
first big town in adjacent Kilinochchi District is Mulangaavil.
This is about three to four miles to the north of Vellankulam.
What soldiers of 58 Division did was to go around Vellankulam
through the jungle hinterland and then move westwards to the
littoral. Thus, Vellankulam was now encircled though LTTE
defences to its south were still active.
The entry by soldiers into areas technically coming under
Kilinochchi District was given much prominence in the mainstream
media.
There was, however, a major faux pas by a reputed international
news agency that confused Kilinochchi District and Kilinochchi
town. The agency report caused a flutter when it said that
the Army had entered the rebel capital Kilinochchi.
A matter of time
With Vellankulam being encircled, it was only a matter of
time before the LTTE was expected to withdraw from their positions.
Moving southwards, troops entered Vellankulam from the north
on August 1 and an announcement was made on August 2 that
Vellankulam was taken, which in turn meant that the entire
Mannar District was under Army control. However, domination
of Vellankulam has not led to an absence of fighting in the
area. Since LTTE defences from Vellankulam-Paali Aaru-Kalvilan
have not completely crumpled and because Tigers are located
in areas in and around Mulangaavil to the north, fighting
continues.
The government’s official websites that announced the
capture of Vellankulam also continue to provide details of
several skirmishes between the Army and LTTE in the “general
area” of Vellankulam.
In a separate development, the Navy launched a raid on a makeshift
LTTE camp on the twin islands off Mannar coast known as ‘Iranai
Theevu.’ ‘Iranai’ in Tamil means twin.
The Navy’s Rapid Action Boats Squadron (RABS) and Special
Boats Squadron (SBS) were engaged in this operation. The Navy
also conducted a search operation in two other islands off
Mannar coast, called Erumaitheevu and Kakkai Theevu.
It remains to be seen whether the armed forces will proceed
further north along the Kilinochchi District’s western
coast or consolidate their hold on the Vellankulam region
first.
If troops do move northwards, fighting could escalate in Kilinochchi
District areas in and around Mulangaavil, Kariyaalai and Naagapaduwaan.
The LTTE has several Sea Tiger bases along the Kilinochchi
coast like Nachikudah, Nochimunai, Pallikudaah, Valaippaadu,
Peimunai and Nagathevanthurai. Since control over stretches
of this coast is essential for the LTTE to maintain maritime
contact with India, the Tigers can be expected to defend positions
strongly.
Miles to go
The armed forces, however, could adopt the same successful
tactic employed to capture Vidathaltheevu and Vellankulam.
This is to bypass the areas and move into the hinterland and
then move towards the littoral and encircle the target location.
Since there is thick jungle (nearly 10 miles to the east)
in the hinterland of the A32 Highway, there is much opportunity
for the Army to adopt the successful tactic.
After the capture of Mannar District, the stated objective
of the 58 Division is control and consolidation of the A32
Highway from Mannar to Pooneryn. The armed forces have another
23 miles to cover in order to reach Poonagary or Pooneryn,
where the old Dutch Fort and jetty are situated. Then the
north-bound road turns eastwards for another six miles to
reach the Sangupiddy Jetty. It is here that the A32 ‘formally’
ends.
A ferry from Sanguopiddy to Keratheevu would take one across
to the Jaffna peninsula. Of course, if the proposed Mahadeva
causeway project is completed, then there is no need of the
ferry.
If this is the position regarding the left flank in forward
movement by the armed forces, there is much fighting in the
strategically important areas lying between the A32 in the
west and the A9 or Jaffna-Kandy Road towards the east.
An important yet minor road, two towns, a river and one major
tank together are the key points of this intense fighting.
First the road; there is a road that proceeds to the east
from Vellankulam. It goes east through places like Thunukkaai
and Mallavi. After passing Aninjiankulam, it reaches Ottaruthakulam,
from where it takes a north-eastern direction.
Thereafter, it passes through Vannivilaankulam and reaches
Mankulam on the A9 Highway. The two towns are Thunukkaai and
Mallavi, coming under the same Assistant Government Agent
(AGA) Division. This AGA Division was earlier part of the
Kilinochchi District but now forms part of Mullaitivu District.
Thunukkaai and Mallavi are comparatively big towns with large
segments of population. They also have several administrative
structures of the LTTE.
Combat positions
The river is Paali Aaru, which originates from the Omanthai
region and reaches the sea at Vellankulam. Currently, many
LTTE combat positions are located on both sides of the Paali
River.
The Paali Aaru cuts across Vavunikulam, which is the tank
in question. According to historical belief, there existed
a small anicut in Vavunikulam that was supposedly constructed
during King Ellalan’s (Elara) era. A modern anicut was
constructed in the same place in the 50s of the last century,
leading to the enhancement and expansion of the present Vavunikulam
Tank. Incidentally, the five major irrigation tanks in the
Wanni northern mainland are Iranaimadhukulam, Kattukkaraikulam,
Vavunikulam, Muthaiyankattu and Thannimurippukulam.
Of these the second largest, Kattukkarai (Giant’s Tank)
is under government control. Third largest, Vavunikulam, is
also very much under Army control. The fifth largest, Thannimurippu,
is also on the verge of being taken by the Army. Only the
largest, Iranai Madhu, and frouth largest, Muthaiyankattu,
are under full LTTE control. The water level in Paali Aaru
to the north of Vavunikulam is comparatively low because much
of the water is retained in the Vavunikulam reservoir. Thus,
the LTTE has established many positions on the banks of both
sides of the Paali from Vavunikulam to Vellankulam.
Despite the seemingly impregnable LTTE defences, recent developments
saw the armed forces scoring significant successes through
remarkable military manoeuvres.
The 57 Division led by Major General Jagath Dias is responsible
for the breakthrough on these fronts.
July 24 saw the 57-1 Brigade turn the tables on the LTTE through
a ‘stealth’ operation. Troops moved from positions
in the Nattaankandal area and reached a place called Paandiyankulam.
Soldiers then crossed the Paali Aaru near Paandiyankulam and
made their way through shrub jungle and reached some paddy
fields. Moving across these fields, the troops reached Paali
Nagar, a township named after the river.
Taken by surprise
In a related move, another military column moved clandestinely
from Paali Aaru through shrub jungle in an area, where another
river known as Uppanaaru meets Paali Aaru. Troops then reached
Sivapuram, where the LTTE had a camp near the Sivan temple.
The Tigers were taken by surprise and routed.
Troops then moved further and took the general area of another
place called Kidaaipidithakulam, where excess water from Vavunikulam
Tank is diverted. This enabled the armed forces to establish
control of the Vavunikulam Tank’s southern end. The Tigers,
it appeared, were completely flummoxed as they did not expect
the armed forces to follow such devious routes. Earlier the
use of such tactics had been the exclusive preserve of the
LTTE.
The LTTE rallied and launched counter-attacks which were repulsed.
Nearly 100 Tigers were killed in the clashes. These included
two of ‘Lt. Col.’ rank.
Thereafter there was heavy exchange of artillery and mortar
fire between both sides across the Vavunikulam reservoir.
Gradually the Army, by moving along the bunds and also crossing
through shallow waters, established full control of the greater
part of Vavunikulam and its environs. In another forward movement
through jungle areas of the Madhu sanctuary, troops took Panankaamam,
the seat of Wanni chieftain Pandara Vanniyan, or Wanni Bandara.
Pandara Wanniyan, who ruled the Wanni fiefdom of Adangapatrru,
kept on defying the British and was ultimately defeated at
the historic battle of Katsilaimadhu by ‘Col.’ Drieberg.
Thunukkaai targeted
From Panankaamam, troops struck out towards Thunukkai and
reached a place called Ottankulam. Thus Thunukkaai is now
targeted by two columns. One is at Kalvilan about two to three
miles to the west of Thunukkaai on the Vellankulam Road. The
other is at Ottankulam, about two miles to the south of Thunukkaai
on the Panankaamam Road.
LTTE positions are to the south of the Black Bridge (Karutha
Paalam) at Ottankulam and to the west of Kalvilan. Both positions
are along the shores of Paali Aaru.
The armed forces have also made three limited offensives to
reach the strategically important Mallavi town. One advance
from Paandiyankulam has reached a place called Karumpulliyan
to the south of Paali Aaru. Tiger positions are on the opposite
side. Another advance from Vavunikulam towards Mallavi has
reached a place called Karuppikulam near the ‘Silkworm
Junction’ (Pattu Poochi Santhi) near Mallavi. The LTTE
positions are behind the first canal of Vavunikulam Tank.
A third offensive targeting Mallavi was launched from Paalai
Adi in the Vavunikulam general area on August 1. This was
repulsed after bitter fighting in which an Army vehicle was
seized by the LTTE.
It is a case of being ‘so near, yet so far’ for
the armed forces as their positions are only within two to
four miles of Thunukkaai and Mallavi.
If this is the situation as far as the 57 Division is concerned,
intense fighting is also going on in Vavuniya North, the right
flank.
Intense fighting
There Task Force Two is engaged in continuous fighting with
the LTTE in the Navvy-Palamottai-Vilakkuvaithakulam region.
The Tigers are sustained through supply routes along the road
extending from Vannivilaankulam to Moondrumurippu. If the
armed forces are able to interdict this supply route, then
the Tigers fighting on the Palamottai front will have to withdraw.
This would enable the armed forces to take over the vast Vavuniya
north territory.
This would include Puliyankulam from where troops could also
move along the Mullaitivu Road via Nainamadhu and take Nedunkerny.
Likewise, areas along the A9 up to Kanakarayankulam could
also be taken. For all this, interdiction of supplies is a
pre-requisite. The 57 Division at Vavunikulam seems best equipped
to interdict this route.
In the long-term, troops could move through the jungles of
Aninjayakulam and Ottaruthakulam and reach Vannivilaankulam,
thereby cutting off the supply route at its source.
The other option in the short-term is for troops to move across
from Vavunikulam and interdict the Vannivilaankulam-Moondrumurippu
Road at a place called Paalaipaani.
Apart from the fighting going on to the west of the A9, there
is also conflict to the east of the A9 in the Manal Aaru /Weli
Oya region.
There the 59 Division, under Brig. Nandana Tudawatte, has
advanced about 10 miles through forest areas and reached areas
about four miles to the south of Kumulamunai. These advances
encompass the Nithigaikulam region, where LTTE Leader Velupillai
Prabhakaran was holed up during the Indian Army period. Troops
have also reached the Thannimurippukulam Tank area but are
yet to establish control.Troops have generally moved out from
positions to the north of Anaivilunthan Aaru / Athawetunawewa,
Mankindimalai, Paalaamai Odai / Kiriibban Wewa, Kokuthoduvaai
and Andankulam.
The Army succeeded in driving away the LTTE from its key forward
defence base known as ‘Munnagam.’ Thereafter, troops
have also seized abandoned LTTE bases codenamed after Tiger
leaders like “Michael,” “Kamal” and “Suganthan.”
Line of control
There are also artillery exchanges in the Jaffna peninsula
in the Muhamaalai region.
The armed forces line of control extends from Kilaly in the
west through Eluthumattuvaal to Nagar Kovil in the east. The
53 and 55 Divisions are stationed here. The LTTE’s Northern
Commander ‘Col.’ Theepan was supervising defences
in the peninsula earlier. But with the Army entering Kilinochchi
District, Theepan is now focusing on the fighting there.
Though the armed forces are on the ascendancy, it would be
a grave error to assume that the LTTE is defeated or demoralised.
LTTE Leader Prabhakaran, being a master strategist, is capable
of springing a surprise in the near future. In a situation
where military positions keep on seesawing, the only certainty
is the fact that there would be terrible levels of fighting
in the coming weeks.
(D.B.S. Jeyaraj can be contacted on djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com)
(D.B.S.
Jeyaraj can be reached at djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com)
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