LTTE loses 19,887 cadres in 25 years

By Ananth Palakidnar

The LTTE has lost 19,887 cadres including S.P. Thamilselvan in the past twenty-five years according to the list of dead cadres released last week. The list is released by the organisation annually in November, according to reports from Killinochchi.

The list of dead cadres released during the outfit's so-called 'Martyrs' week' in November coincides with the birthday of LTTE leader V. Prabakaran on November 26.

This year's list of dead cadres of the LTTE indicates that from November 27, 1982 to November 20, 2007, 19,887 LTTE cadres were killed in clashes with the Security Forces, reports said.

Women cadres numbering 4,196 were among the 19,887. The total number of 'Black Tiger' suicide cadres from 1982 till this year was 343. This includes the suicide cadres who targeted Rajiv Gandhi and other key political figures in Sri Lanka, reports said.

Among the 343 dead Black Tigers 93 are women, reports said.

Meanwhile, security in the island has been tightened following the LTTE's 'Martyrs' week currently being held in the uncleared areas. Prabhakaran who will be turning 52 tomorrow is expected to deliver his annual speech from an undisclosed location in the Wanni on November 27.