LTTE attempts to rebuild its Eastern sector

War and Peace - The Defence Diary by Ranga Jayasuriya

The LTTE’s Eastern sector is crumbling. If the Karuna’a split compromised the LTTE hold in the province, recent security forces operations in Sampur gave the final blow. The LTTE strength in its Batticaloa - Ampara sector is estimated at not more than 800 fighting cadres and 1,200 LTTE border guards known as Ellai Padai. That itself underscores its diminishing hold in the area, which was once the breeding ground for recruits. Batticaloa and Ampara is a single administrative unit in the LTTE hierarchy once led by renegade Tiger commander Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna. Karuna demobilised 4000- 5000 cadres of his Batticaloa and Ampara sector before he went underground.

Jayanthan Brigade

Batticaloa and Ampara was the home for one of the battle hardened Tigers fighting formations known as the Jayanthan Brigade, which played the leading role in the capture of the Mullaitivu Military camp. The Jayanthan Brigade was also the first to enter the EPS military garrison when it was overrun by the Unceasing Wave III of the Tigers. Trincomalee was a separate unit under the LTTE hierarchy which was earlier headed by Paduman who was also a colonel in the Tiger rank.

Now the LTTE in Trincomalee is led by Soornam while Banu has been appointed the Special Commander in Batticaloa and Ampara.

Though Ramesh, who was Karuna’s deputy, appointed in Karuna’s place immediately after the latter went underground, Ramesh’s inability to counter the sporadic attacks by Karuna loyalists cost him his position. He was demoted and Banu was appointed in his place.

But, as it has transpired now, Banu could not do any better. There are reports that Banu went to Verugal with 400 additional troops to support LTTE cadres who were holding in Sampur. But they could not proceed and were held in security forces deployed to cut down supply routes. Now reports from the East said Banu had returned from Verugal to Batticaloa.

According to non LTTE political activists in Batticaloa who monitor LTTE conduct in the uncleared area, Jeyam, who is also a military commander in the East - who attended the first round of Geneva peace talks- has stationed himself in an underground bunker in Tharvi Kulam.

Jeyam is reported to be leading 400 LTTE cadres from that bunker. Even though several sorties were conducted by the Air Force on the LTTE locations in the general area of Tharavi during the past two weeks, Jeyam is reported to be safe.

The LTTE’s Eastern sector is in disarray. Even some non LTTE political and military activists have advocated for a final military assault on the LTTE in the area.

Early this month, the Tigers pulled out from four jungle bases in Karadiyanaru to dodge an attack by the fighters loyal to Karuna.

According to independent sources, 250 Karuna fighters took part in that operation. Six Karuna fighters including a senior figure known as Sindujan were wounded in fighting. Casualties on the LTTE were not known, even though the Karuna faction has seized a cache of weapons abandoned by retreating mainstream LTTE cadres.

Karuna faction

According to military sources, the Karuna faction has become a force to be reckoned with in the East. The estimated number of fighting cadres in the Karuna faction is put at 500-600 by the local military sources. However, mobility of the Karuna faction has severely been restrained by the restrictions imposed by the security forces.

LTTE cadres who fled Sampur are locked in Kadiravelu, Vakarai and Verugal. They are attempting to move downwards to LTTE jungle bases in Tharavi Kulam and Kokdadicholai.

One reason for their move is that low laying area surrounding Verugal could be filled during the coming North-East monsoon. If they stick to their current localities, they would have to concentrate on high lands in the area, which could make them vulnerable to artillery strikes.

LTTE’s setback in East

Given the recent setbacks of the LTTE in the East, there were suspicions that the LTTE would hit back at least with some vigour to make its presence felt in the area.

The LTTE could always try other means. Formatting clashes between the security forces and the local populace could be one such kind.

It successfully carried out one such mission last week, when it allegedly killed 10 Muslims and successfully held Special Task Force Commandos responsible for the killings.

No doubt, violent protests in the Eastern town of Pottuvil damaged the painstakingly built rapport between local Muslims and the Police commandos. (see box story) On Thursday, the LTTE fired mortars at the Special Task Force in Sangaman Kanda Thuduwa and later ambushed a route clearing foot patrol of the Special Task Force. No police commandos were harmed . However, one woman was injured when a stray mortar fell in an adjacent village. Later in the wee hours of Saturday, the LTTE attacked a police post in Killumalai, situated between Mahaoya and Chenkalay on the A 5 road. Sixteen LTTE cadres were killed in the retaliation by the STF commandos. Three home guards were also injured.

The LTTE’s presence though diminished in the area there is always possibility that a small number of cadres who emerge from their jungle bases could carry out attacks on security forces’ route clearing patrol and remote posts.

Demarcation of area

There is no clear demarcation between the LTTE control areas and Government controlled areas in the East. This has also been a cause for confrontation in the East between security forces and the LTTE, one particular instance has been almost the daily exchange of mortar and artillery fire between army and the LTTE in Vavunathivu.

There are reports that LTTE had brought few 120 mm mortars to the uncleared areas in Batticaloa. No intelligence of possession of artillery guns by the LTTE in Batticaloa is available. However, there are reports that LTTE had succeeded in moving at least two 122 mm artillery guns which were earlier positioned in Sampur to Verugal.

The sea clash off Pulmudai where eleven 11 sea Tiger boats were reportedly destroyed including two craft, believed to be transporting arms and ammunition is also an indication that LTTE is rebuilding its forces who are now locked in Verugal.

The arms in the two craft which exploded with large explosions were intended to be the LTTE cadres who fled to Verugal and Vakarai following the collapse of Sampur, according to intelligence sources. The sea clash turned to be another fatal blow to the sea Tigers who were frequently routed by the Navy in the recent months.

According to Navy estimates 70 sea Tigers were believed to have been killed in the confrontation which lasted from Sunday night to the dawn of Monday. Four sailors were injured, one seriously. Two Dvora Fast Attack Craft suffered minor damage.