SLAF pilots certain of LTTE targets

'Civilian targets unlikely':

By ShanikaSriyananda

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The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) which destroyed three of the most vital strategic locations of the LTTE in the Wanni, reiterated that the pilots never take on civilians targets as they are well aware of their enemy targets.

The Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara told the Sunday Observer that the pilots take on these air targets after extensive ground confirmation and intelligence.

"They confirmed that the targets are LTTE centres and their targets are very accurate. According to intelligence and judging by the damage observed it is a huge loss to the LTTE", he said. The air attacks carried out by the MI 24 helicopters on Friday mid-night destroyed the LTTE's Sea Tiger base at Nagasivanthurai in Pooneryn, the main operation centre of the LTTE's intelligence wing at Iranapalai and its main logistic base in Vishwamadhu.

"The intelligence centre of the LTTE was one of the best that they had and sources confirmed that the centre was in flames. According to the extent of the damage, these locations have been completely destroyed by the air raids", he said. The number of casualties is yet to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, the troops advancing into the LTTE stronghold in the Wanni from Jaffna and Mullaithivu captured some LTTE trenches and destroyed four bunkers killing over 15 LTTE terrorists.

Army spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that the artillery attacks are launched only to destroy the LTTE locations in their Forward Defence Lines (FDLs). "We know quite well about the LTTE's FDLs and they are always accurate targets", he said. Brigadier Nanayakkara denied the pro-LTTE website claims that a civilian was targeted in the Mullaithivu town.

According to the Army Spokesman, over 27 LTTE cadres had surrendered to the Army and police checkpoints and three surrendered this week.

He said that the Tigers are now using some strategies to tarnish the image of the security forces claiming that the military is firing artillery at civilian targets. "These stories are fabricated as part of their international propaganda war.

They fabricate these stories as usual whenever they are losing ground. They did the same thing when they lost ground in Vakarai and Madhu", he said.