Security Forces consolidate power after fierce fighting

The LTTE’s devastating attempt to push back the Security Forces was foiled in South of Puthukudiyiruppu.

As the fierce battles were continued in the Wanni battlefront, commencing the last lap of the battle shrinking the areas under Tiger control to few dozens of square kilometres, the Sri Lankan nation prepared to celebrate the 61st Independence Day in Colombo by the end of January 2009.

When the Government was making arrangements to celebrate the event giving top priority to the military victories the LTTE too thought of ways and means to sabotage the event and push the Security Forces from their original defences.

The masterminds of the LTTE were planning for a major reprisal attack when the troops of the offensive Divisions continued their thrust farther towards remaining territory of the LTTE.

By the end of January 2009, all offensive formations were heading towards the Tiger stronghold Puthukudiyiruppu. The Security Forces were aware that the fighting there would not to be that easy, as they were aware of the fact that the LTTE had mobilized all their heavy guns to this small patch of land along with the civilians.

The Government also offered 48 hours period for the civilians move out of the conflict affected areas in Puthukudiyiruppu, respecting the appeals made by the international community. But the LTTE made use of this opportunity to intensify their military operations rather than allowing the civilians to move out of the area.

However, the troops morale was at its peak by this time after their victories in Paranthan, Kilinochchi, Elephant Pass, Muhamalai, Dharmapuram and a part of Visuamadu. By this time the LTTE having lost all their strongholds were making desperate attempts to regain those territories.

The latest setback they faced was the capture of Mullaitivu, which was the pride of Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Under these circumstances, as this article highlights last week, the LTTE was prepared to do anything to regain their lost pride.

No wonder, the LTTE leaders were perturbed by the Independence Day celebrations in Colombo, as it was the most appropriate event for the Government to display its achievements in the battlefront to the international community.

LTTE desperate

So the LTTE, too was preparing to display their military might, pushing the Security Forces from the places they have captured. Having failed in their two earlier attempts to create human carnage having destroying Kalmadukulam Tank bund and making an attempt to blast the Iranamadu Tank bund, the LTTE was more desperate to carry out their next plan to display their capability to fight back.

The thinning out defences in the South of Puthukudiyiruppu, in the just captured territory by the 59 Division under the command of Brigadier Nandana Udawatta and Task Force IV under the command of Colonel Nishantha Wanniarachchi was the target of the LTTE.

By this time the 59 Division which captured the Mullaitivu on January 25, 2009 was expanding their defences along the western bank of the Nanthikadal lagoon towards Puthukudiyiruppu. As they were expanding their defences in the Western bank of the Nanthikadal lagoon, they were advancing parallel to the LTTE held areas on the other side of the lagoon. This created a situation to keep the defences of the Security Forces and the LTTE in the two banks of the famous Nanthikadal lagoon.

As the 59 Division troops were advancing farther North from the famous Vatrapalai Amman Kovil along the road that links Mullaitivu and Puthukudiyiruppu via a road goes along the western bank of the Nanthikadal lagoon the Task Force IV troops were heading towards the south of Puthukudiyiruppu along Oddusudan-Puthukudiyiruppu road.

On the morning of February 1, an estimated 30 Black Tiger cadres infiltrated the military controlled area, apparently through a gap in the forward defence lines, a muddy stretch of about 1 kms in the west of Nanthikadal lagoon.

The 7 Gemunu watch battalion under the command of Lt. Colonel Chaminda Lamahewa was in the forefront at the time of this attack. The Tigers took the advantage of the canals that linked the Nanthikadal lagoon at the location called ‘Dara Point’. These canals camouflaged with bushes gave a natural cover for the Tiger cadres to enter the areas under Forces control, unnoticed to anybody.

The 7 GW battalion attached to the 593 Brigade had just been deployed in the forward defence line. The 7GR, of 593 Brigade, after its victory at the Mullaitivu battle, was instructed on January 31 to advance from Puthukudiyiruppu West. They faced this attack on the very day they entered the Puthukudiyiruppu battlefront. They were caught off guard. The initial attack was so intense that troops pulled back 3 kms from their original positions. The 7th Gemunu Regiment (7GR), however, fought valiantly and foiled the preliminary stage of the LTTE’s plan.

The LTTE started attacking the troops with RPG fire on a bus and a tractor transporting soldiers of the 592 Brigade from Mulliyawali. The terrorists, who obstructed the roads from Mulliyawali to the A-34 Highway, launched the attack and at the same time infiltrated the area from the direction of the Watrappalai Amman Kovil.

The black Tigers functioned as forward observers for the Tiger artillery attacks.

Artillery and mortar shells began to rain on the Security Forces positions. Under artillery fire, more cadres crossed the lagoon.

Sea Tiger leader Soosai, was heard over the radio transmission personally monitoring the battle sending boat loads of Tiger cadres across the Nanthikadal lagoon.

Military officials estimated that 700-1000 guerrillas took part in the offensive, attacking the eastern and western flanks of the 59 Division.

The message was passed to the higher echelons and additional troops were dispatched to the frontline. First to be deployed was the Air Mobile Brigade attached to the 53 Division, which has been kept in a reserve role in Mankulam under 53 Division commanded by Brigadier Kamal Gunaratne.

Instructions were dispatched to the troops to hold onto their new positions and rushed reinforcements to the battlefront. Instructions were also given to 57 Division Commander Maj. Gen. Jagath Dias and 53 Division Commander, Brig. Kamal Gunaratne to assist 59 Division Commander Brigadier Nandana Gunatilleka to settle the situation. They had their operations room at Oddusudan where Task Force IV had its headquarters.

The Air Mobile Brigade, two Special Force units, and 13 eight-man Commando teams too, were rushed to beat back the Tigers. Although the terrorists were commanded by their frontline commanders Bhanu, Swarnam, Soosai, and Jeyam, they suffered extensive damage under artillery and multi-barrel fire of the SLA.

Intense fighting

Intense fighting erupted in the Puthukudiyiruppu South as Tiger cadres opened fire at the Security Forces defences and the vehicles. Many soldiers wounded in the fighting were rushed to Oddusudan area and taken to Vavuniya for further treatment. Some soldiers went missing during the fierce fighting that erupted on Sunday.

On February 2, 2009 further measures were taken to strengthen the defences of the 59 Division and the Task Force IV..

The Forward Defence Lines were readjusted to face this situation with additional troops deployed into these defences. The 1st Vijayaba, 6th Gajaba, the Special Forces, and the Commando Brigade were deployed in the defence line.

From then onwards, the Special Forces under the command of Colonel Athula Kodippili, and the Commando Regiment launched a major counterattack on the terrorists, with round-the-clock air support from helicopter gunships and attack aircraft.

There were strong indications that a large number of Tiger cadres have infiltrated into the area due to isolated incidents taking place in Oddusudan North and Puthukudiyiruppu South areas.

Therefore, continuous search and clear operations were carried out in search of infiltrated Tiger cadres. The real danger was that these Tiger cadres were giving locations of artillery guns of the Security Forces. However, the Security Forces were able to manage the situation without allowing any of the Tiger cadres go beyond Oddusudan.

As Tiger cadres that infiltrated into Puthukudiyiruppu South failed to achieve their objective, Tiger leaders sent explosive laden cabs and trucks into Security Forces defences South of Puthukudiyiruppu.

On Tuesday February 3, the terrorists made another attempt to break through the FDL, by blasting four explosive laden vehicles. Three soldiers were killed and seventeen wounded in the series of explosions.

The explosions were to be followed by columns of guerrillas who would storm the Security Forces positions. It was due to the bravery of the soldiers who fired RPGs at these explosive laden vehicles, even at the risk of their lives, a major disaster was averted.

Operational Headquarters, the armouries, and the helipad came under continuous LTTE artillery fire, in an attempt to cripple the operation. The field commanders and the troops had to operate under intense threat.

Air support

However, the Tiger plan fell short of the objective. Troops held on to their positions.

Commandos and Special Forces had also been inducted to the frontline. The Air Force continued to provide close air support, targeting reinforcement of Tiger guerrillas and their artillery and mortar launching positions.

Even with massive suicide blasts the LTTE could not reach the desired objectives through these suicide blasts but only displayed its desperation.Fierce fighting continued till early hours of Independence Day morning and Security Forces chiefs went through sleepless night in their operations rooms despite their requirement to participate at the Independence Day celebrations in the morning hours.

The Special Forces troops deployed in the South of Puthukudiyiruppu, could neutralize the situation by the early hours of Independence Day thus giving a sigh of relief of the Service Commanders and the Commander in Chief, President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

SL Air force carried out dozens of raids in support to the 59 Division and Task force 4 troops on the ground during the LTTE counter attack.

Heavy defeat for Tigers

The Tigers suffered a heavy defeat as the military fought back valiantly. Senior leaders such as Soosai and Theepan had blamed the third level leaders Gopith and Velavan for being unable to carry out a devastating attack against the military even after a successful infiltration of hard-core cadres into Puthukudiyiruppu South.

The attack succeeded in pushing back the troops 3 kms from their original defence lines, but it was at a heavy cost.

Several soldiers who went missing during the initial guerrilla attack joined the troops later.

They said the initial attack was so intense that they could not hold on. As for guerrilla casualties, they have reportedly seen scores of bodies of slain cadres scattered on the ground.

As the 59 Division consolidated their positions, the LTTE turned its guns to Task Force 4.

On February 5, four waves of counter attacks were launched against troops of this division, who repulsed each attack.

Troops emerged unscathed and, miraculously, did not suffer any casualties, according to military sources.

Once again troops foiled another attempt by the LTTE to send Tiger cadres into Security Forces controlled areas in Oddusudan in an armoured plated bus on February 7 around 2 p.m. An armoured tank which was heading towards the FDL had detected this and attacked it killing 14 Tiger cadres on board the armoured plated truck.

Colonel G.V. Ravipriya who was appointed as the Mannar Area Commander was airlifted to Oddusudan after he was appointed as the Task Force VIII Commander.

The 633 Brigade under the command of Lt. Colonel Subashana Welikala operated under the Task Force III and 593 Brigade under the Command of Lt. Colonel Lalantha Gamage has been attached to Task Force VIII as Brigade Commanders.

With this new deployment Army has strengthened its defences in the Mullaitivu, Mullaitivu West and Puthukudiyiruppu South.

It was after this foiled attempt by the LTTE, the Army Headquarters sent Brigadier Chagie Gallage to Mullaitivu area to oversee the defence lines there. It was under his instructions the entire defence lines surrounding the Nanthikadal lagoon were strengthened up to avert any further Tiger infiltration across the Nanthikadal lagoon and the results of the establishing of this strong defence line was seen at the final battle in Vellamullivaikkal enabling the troops to surround all the Tiger leaders including Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.