LTTE forces civilians to Kilinochchi as human shields

The LTTE has forcibly moved the civilians further north towards Kilinochchi before the Army laid siege to the town of Yogapuram. According to a reliable source from Kilinochchi, civilians in Kilinochchi are now being transported towards Vishwamadu and Puthukkudiyirippu in Mullaitivu district.
There are said to be civilians who want to cross over to the Government-controlled area but LTTE cadres were not allowing them. They are detaining those of the age group 12 to 50 years. The LTTE mobilises them and sends them to the battle front. Some civilians escape from their bunkers but are later arrested by the LTTE and detained.
The LTTE uses civilians as a human shield. Some INGOs have approached the LTTE leadership and urged that the civilians be freed but the LTTE leadership had reportedly rejected the request.

Nachchikudah to fall anytime
LTTE counter attack increased heavy fighting. After the capture of Mallavi and while the battle was going on in Nachchikudah, Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka flew with his senior officers to Vavuniya Security Forces Headquarters.
The Army Chief was received by Vavuniya SF Commander Maj. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya who had given a briefing to him.
Thereafter the Army Chief had with the 58th Division GOC Brigadier Shavindra Silva, evaluated the ongoing battle. The Brigadier had given a briefing about the operations to the Army Chief. The Army Commander had then given tactical advice to the ground commanders and returned to Colombo.
In Kilinochchi district, the SL Army’s 58th Division troops commanded by Brigadier Shavindra Silva are advancing amidst heavy resistance from the Tigers. Reliable sources from the north said the LTTE leadership had ordered that as many cadres as possible be infused into the Imran Pandian Brigade, Baby Brigade Charles Anthony unit, the Jayanthan unit the Vidusha unit the Suthanthirap Paravaikal or “Freedom Birds”, (which is entirely made up of women) to counter attack, as the main intention is to stop troops advancing further.
The 58th Division troops has divided into two sections. The 583 Brigade is conducting its offensive towards Nachchikudah. Despite heavy LTTE resistance, troops are advancing with support of heavy artillery and Armoured Corps fire power. At the same time Air Force MI 24 helicopter gunships are attacking Tiger positions while Air Force jets continue bombardment of the LTTE defence line.
However, the LTTE cadres are still holding their positions and returning fire. The LTTE has established massive earth bunds 12 feet high and 18 km long as its defence line. I have seen similar earth bunds when I was on a tour of duty last month. The SL Army troops have penetrated these earth bunds at different places.
The LTTE fires 130 mm and 122 mm artillery as well as 81 mm mortars at the troops who retaliate with increased firepower and then advance.
A senior officer from the battle front said, “Our soldiers’ morale is very high and they are committed. Therefore, we will capture Nachchikudah at any moment.”
The 582 Brigade is conducting its offensive from the A32 road to the east of Kilinochchi which is 12 km away and to Pooneyrn, 15 km away.
As I mentioned above the LTTE has built up a massive defence line of earth bunds. In front of these earth bunds a trench line has been dug as well to prevent troops infiltrating.
However, on Friday (August 29), SL Army troops kicked off their offensive. A few soldiers were wounded by trampling buried mines. Soldiers cleared the mines and established a mine-free path to advance and attack the LTTE defence lines. Ground troops advanced supported by artillery fire and by fire from Multi Barrel Rocket Launchers (MBRLs) which can fire 40 rockets at once to a distance of 20 km within 20 seconds.
The LTTE retaliated with its 130mm and 122mm artillery. An officer from the front said the battle was long and lasted 46 hours. The LTTE also fired 12 Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) in one direction and as well as 12.5mm heavy guns and MPMGs. SL Army troops replied with increased firepower. At the end of the battle troops were able to capture 6 km of earth bunds and consolidate their positions.
There aren’t any independent deaths or wounded figures from both sides because while this Column is being written, heavy fighting is going on
Mallavi captured
On August 1, troops of the 7th Sinha Regiment were able to enter Yogapuram and consolidate their position in three-fourths of the Mallavi area and advance further.
The LTTE’s administration and logistic activities are accommodated in over a dozen offices situated in Mallavi.
Troops reached another important milestone on their noble mission to liberate the Wanni on Sunday (August 31), when they entered the highly guarded terror bastion of Mallavi. After weeks of intense battles, troops of the SL Army’s 57th Division entered Mallavi town, situated on the Mankulam-Vellankulam road, in the west of Mullaitivu district. According to reports troops are engaged in mopping-up operations in the area at present and indications are that the area will soon be declared as liberated.
Meanwhile, final military reports on the battles indicate 41 fatalities and 50 casualties to the Tigers. Also, 12 others were recorded as either killed or wounded. Five soldiers were killed while 30 others suffered injuries during these clashes, according to the reports.
The 57th Division had overrun a part of the LTTE’s defence line west of Mallavi and taken control of several areas on its outskirts on Sunday (August 31) evening.
The infantry units of the 57th Division comprising the 3rd Gajaba Regiment, 7th Sinha Regiment and the 8th Ceylon Light Infantry Regiment backed by armour and heavy artillery, moved forward from their positions.
On 31st morning, despite heavy LTTE resistance, Mallavi was attacked from three different fronts and SLA units and 7th Sinha Regiment entered Mallavi. The Mallavi area LTTE complex is situated in Yogapuram.
On Saturday (August 30) Special Infantry Oriented Troops (SIOT) belongs to the 8th Ceylon Light Infantry(CLI) sneaked into Mallavi south, and successfully ambushed a group of LTTE cadres. Meanwhile T55 Armoured Corps tanks fired at concrete bunkers of the LTTE and destroyed them.
The battalion commanders of the 7th Sinha Regiment (SR) and 3rd Gajaba Regiment (GR) troops, divided their troops into small groups on the instruction of their Brigade Commander Maj. Gen. J Dias.
Groups of 8 to 12 soldiers infiltrated Tiger-dominated areas and carried out ambushes which were highly successful, while at the same time LTTE retaliated too.
The probable fall of Mallavi will negate a strategic advantage held by the Tigers as the A-9 and A-32 main roads connect through Mallavi. Mallavi is one of the largest towns in the LTTE-held Wanni and is located along the road which connects Vellankulam and Mankulam. The town had a large civilian population. From Mallavi to Mankulam junction it is only 8 km. West and north of Mallavi there is jungle of around 80 to 100 square km. A battlefront officer said, “ We are very comfortable in the jungle.” When this jungle is passed, west of the A9 road, is the well-known Iranamadu Tank where a sea plane was landed bringing the late Anton Balasingham and his wife to Sri Lanka.

LTTE infiltrate wipeout
On Sunday (August 31) a group of LTTE cadres which infiltrated through a gap in the Army’s FDL were hunted and killed by the Special Forces in the general area of Padaviya this morning. Military Intelligence had received information that a fresh batch of cadres destined for Trincomalee was on its way to Weli Oya.
The group had identified a gap in the Army FDL north of the Padaviya Tank. The Army had later reinforced the area and deployed additional homeguard units. The Tigers, dressed in Army uniforms were attempting to wander through a Sinhala village called Konketiyawa that morning, 10 miles from Padaviya, four miles north of Bogas Handiya along the Padaviya-Pulmoddai road. The homeguards, alert to the situation, engaged the Tigers immediately killing one. One homeguard was wounded and later died.
Immediately upon detection, the group went into disarray. Twelve Tigers fled to a nearby jungle and tried to get away. A group of military Police personnel were sent to attack the unit but they were unable to do so.
Realising that the Tigers were hardcore cadres, the Army gave the go-ahead for the Special Forces (SF). Vavuniya Security Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya immediately ordered the Special Forces Brigade Commander to dispatch a team to Konketiyawa. One group of the Special Forces went into the jungle to track the Tigers, when from atop a tree, a Tiger fired towards the SF and they too returned fire. Stung by the attack the Special Forces wasted no time. They surrounded the area and annihilated the entire team of 12 Tigers
During the search operation troops recovered seven T-56 rifles, four claymore mines, five IEDs, 20 detonators and one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG).
The team returned to base and the rest of the troops carried out search operations in the area to see whether there were any more LTTE cadres.
The vital intelligence received and the counter-strike comes in the wake of changes in Weli Oya to strengthen defences at the front end. These measures were taken following credible intelligence reports of LTTE plans to launch attacks in the rear to demoralise troops or force the re-deployment of offensive troops in defensive roles.
The LTTE squad looks like one of many teams deployed to gradually infiltrate the Eastern province, one senior Intelligence officer said adding the situation is being continually monitored. He further said those cadres who were killed by the SF were on their way to Trincomalee to place claymore mines targeting civilians and military personnel.
Small attack teams of the 59th Division brought under their control a nearly one km stretch of land alongside the Tannimurippukulam tank. At least eight LTTE cadres were believed to be killed in the process and SLA troopers who launched the attack have recovered two of the bodies. Tannimurippukulam is located around 10km north-east of Nedunkerni in the Mullaitivu district.
Meanwhile 57th and 58th Division units were locked in sporadic clashes with the Tigers alongside the frontline south of Kilinochchi. Although SLA units are now only 11km from the de facto capital of the Tigers, capture of the town could take some time and will require planning. In the urban areas, soldiers do specialised jungle war fare as well as urban warfare. Artillery and MBRL fire support will be limited and the same can be said for air support. The Army and the LTTE will have to engage in close quarter fighting in the impending battle for Kilinochchi.

Army morale high
On the other hand, the morale of SLA troops in the frontlines is as high as ever and they are being led by some of the best in the Army. Army recruitment is very high said one senior officer from Army Headquarters. The recruitment is in three stages this year.
Stage 01-9,590-01.01.2008 to 31.03.2008
Stage 02-5,399-01.04.2008 to 30.06.2008
Stage 03-6,745 -01.07.2008 to 30.09.2008 Total 21,734
The recruitment drive is in progress while Special Forces and Commando units are expanding their battalions and continuing training.
LTTE refuses to hand dead bodies of cadres to families
The LTTE leadership had given clear instructions to their area leaders not to abandon any bodies, because when bodies are recovered by the Army they will be handed over to the LTTE via the ICRC. This will create a negative impact on the rest of the cadres and the Tamil Diaspora would be demoralised.
However, in August the Army handed over 43 bodies of Tiger cadres to the ICRC. The rest of the cadres who were killed in battle were reportedly buried by the LTTE and not handed over to their relatives.

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