The Sri Lanka Army is demonstrating signs of expediting military operations against the Tigers following LTTE attacks in the south. State Intelligence sources believe a major disruption, the first of its kind, was averted when an LTTE suicide bomber detonated her suicide jacket inside the Fort Railway Station, instead of aiming it at a bus load of Air Force personnel on their way back from the military parade on Independence Day. A special security plan put in place the night before and the selfless pursuit of the suicide bomber by an officer from the Police Special Branch (Intelligence) seem to have caused the premature attack, which still killed many innocent civilians.
30 bunkers were destroyed by troops in the Jaffna FDL along the villages of Kilali, Nagarkovil, and Muhamalai last week. 12 Tigers were sniped and killed by the Sri Lanka Army at Periyapandisurichian, Kallikulam, Nagarkovil and Muhamalai FDLs yesterday alone. SLA deployed own snipers after several soldiers were injured by Tiger sniper-fire along Vavuniya and Mannar FDLs when SLA attack teams were collecting Tiger bodies. The SLA collects Tiger bodies only in Mannar, Vavuniya and Weli Oya, given the presence of the ICRC in these areas.
Heavy artillery and mortar fire was also directed at identified LTTE positions and group movements observed by recce teams in Muhamalai and Vavuniya. The casualties to LTTE in these attacks cannot be fully confirmed. Weeks of continuous pounding and limited operations by the SLA Avenue of Approach in Adampan managed to secure the area west of Adampan Tank last morning.
Meanwhile the Special Boat Squadron deployed in Peraru West, East and Naval Headworks Sanctuary on Friday night ambush an 8-man team of Tigers including an LTTE local leader bound for the coast (Nilaveli) via Kumburupiddi jungles. Bodies of two Tigers killed in the confrontation have been recovered.
In the meantime, troops from the 59 Division are successfully marching towards Nendunkerni and Mulaithivu. In the initial stage of operations, an LRRP team tasked with assassinating the Weli Oya Military Wing Leader of the LTTE missed their objective but managed to seriously wound the Tiger leader. This follows a familiar patter of the SLA's recent strategy, which is to decapitate the LTTE's local leadership in swift blows. This pattern started with the assassination of the Vakarai Military leader 'Lt. Colonel' Arivu by a Special Forces (LRRP) team ahead of that campaign. Another 'Lt. Colonel' and several Malathi Unit leaders are feared killed in last week's SLAF attacks in Kilinochchi and Mulaithivu.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Army to Expedite Operations
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that's the way to go.
New evidence suggesting heavy sexual activity behind enemy lines.
/*
In indeed a strange discovery, troops found condoms in both pouches which were retrieved from two slain female LTTE cadres, a military official said. This discovery contests the long- held belief of iron discipline in the ranks of the LTTE. Troops returned to their original positions before sun rise.
*/
DefenceWire,
Will expediting military operations increase SLA casualties unnecessaryly?
DW,
I feel this war as of now is an ideal situ for a sniper war--more or less territorial stalemate with only minor raids in partially wooded terrain and a looong frontline--and the rest by indirect fire only(MBRL/Mortars/Arti etc).The SLA can have more sniper teams and better guns/resources .The LTTE can have more motivated teams and more numbers of exposed targets, but guns/resources/strength much weaker. So maybe body count would not be much different?
Unless the SLDF is able to make a watertight embargo on LTTE arms re-supply via sea the present 'Harassment/Attrition war' will probably never breakdown the LTTE like in the East. A time will have to come when the orders to march has to be given come what may--you cannot gain victory against a committed foe without casualties. So I feel funny when some contributors keep harping on 'minimising casualties'--no pain, so no gain. The present strategy can only be justified if it is towards weakening LTTE before the massive bloody push. But play it too long and the state can lose too--failing economy/peoples mood/IC pressure etc.
Panhinda,
I think publishing such 'news'only demeans the army for low propagandists.Same can be said for the MoD sites making great fanfare of 'Capturing 1 Sq.Km from LTTE'!!
As I heard those condums were used for miltary related stuff.
std,
FYI, condom thing was reported on LakbimaNews and not any of the defense sites. This news has military value. It indicates loosening of discipline probably due to loss of morale.
wrt "1 km" I don't think you understand. Earlier capturing land looked easy. LTTE would allow the army to move in, spread thin before engaging in close quarters. This time they cannot afford to do the same. The sheer desperation have forced them to give up all the cleaver maneuvers. They are absorbing massive causalities to maintain the FDL. Although LTTE propaganda does not report LTTE casualties, don't think there aren't any. All its doing is giving you a false sense of security.
There are examples from previous ops too. For example, no one imagined "Jayasikurui" op cost LTTE 3000 lives until it was revealed by Balakumran recently. In the face of this revelation, one has to reconsider whether that op it was at all a failure as indicated earlier.
In real terms, 1 km movement translates to thousands of LTTE casualties already. This is why its a good reason to celebrate.
It may appear our forces are at a 'military stalemate'. But think from the minds of LTTE frontliners. Eralier they must have had a nice meal and probably had a nice sleep overnight knowing that they are out of danger. But now all LTTE FDLs has to be on full alert 24/7 as they never know when army is going to strike. And of course they will, it a matter of time only. They bleed every day and LTTE doesnot have ct. supply of new recruitment, hence the need for 'grandma' brigade and 'nursery brigade' etc. At the same time our forces are looking for decapitation strikes. No sleep from VP downwards.
This strategy is working, as you can see by their desparate violence on civillians. What was the last successfull LTTE op. in recent months otherthan suicide bombings.
Dont worry we are getting their.
'condomes for military use'
In fact there is a military use for condomes. Thats in military medicine. When there is chest injury the doctors use a valve system using bottles so that all the blood drains out but air doesnot go in thus deflating the lungs. When few soldiers died during transport the SL Army medics realized the bottle system is unsuitable in war zones.
They started using a punctured condome at the end of chest tube which is a 100% effective valve.
I cant think of anyother use of condomes in a thetare of war other than its intended purpose.
hey defencewire, what is the casualty count for the LTTE for the month of January.
""FYI, condom thing was reported on LakbimaNews and not any of the defense sites""
Fine. Thats why you should mention source.Even then, as your link suggests, the 'news'was 'fed'by a military official.Also I have a hard time believing it--both because of discipline and also because two different GIRLS are carrying it--females usu dont carry it unless they are hookers/nymphomaniacs or such.
'
""military value. It indicates loosening of discipline probably due to loss of morale""
Incredulous again. If loss of morale they would surrender/desert/frag rather than carry condoms:)
""wrt "1 km" I don't think you understand. Earlier capturing land looked easy. LTTE would allow the army to move in, spread thin before engaging in close quarters.""
I think I understand.Another scenario could be that they simply has more manpower than before and they have more standoff weapons?
""This time they cannot afford to do the same. The sheer desperation have forced them to give up all the cleaver maneuvers. They are absorbing massive causalities to maintain the FDL.""
Really? I havent seen much in form of evidence except for uncorroborated claims by both parties.
""Although LTTE propaganda does not report LTTE casualties, don't think there aren't any. All its doing is giving you a false sense of security. ""
True. And true for Sinhalese too I think;)
AFP reports(SLDF figures) that 1082 rebels have been killed since January vs 77 on military side!!
""In the face of this revelation, one has to reconsider whether that op it was at all a failure as indicated earlier.""
I expected the igure to be higher.True in a sense cause manpower is v.important to LTTE. But failure too cos SLDF gave artillery capacity to LTTE in addition to losing ground.
""In real terms, 1 km movement translates to thousands of LTTE casualties already. This is why its a good reason to celebrate.""
NOT 1 km, it is 1 SQUARE km .
SLA is supposed to have moved 8kms forward in past 6 months(Madhu sector, not elsewhere).So by your arithmetic LTTE should have been wiped out(3000 cadres) by now??
Guru,
Your condom expl sounds much more logical if true.But still such things should have been carried by medics not soldiers.
Rajiv,
read above for MoD figures:)
std,
/*Also I have a hard time believing it.. If loss of morale they would surrender/desert/frag rather than carry condoms*/
The women was allegedly found in the northern FDL with the condoms. More than loss of morale, it indicates lack of discipline and absence of leadership. It does seem to coincide with radio silence of Theleepan after the decapitation strike.
/*Another scenario could be that they simply has more manpower than before and they have more standoff weapons?*/
That is possible too. Although if there was no manpower issues, you would naturally assume they go on the offensive. Deliberate attacks on civilians and unwillingness to go on the offensive suggests things are indeed desperate as per my hypothesis.
The LTTE side of the Mannar front under discussion has undergone yet another leadership change. One 'Rajeevan' has been put on charge and experienced carders have been inducted from 2 or 1st rings protecting Kilinochi. This hardly indicates things are going well for LTTE.
/*But failure too cos SLDF gave artillery capacity to LTTE in addition to losing ground.*/
As I recall, we lost artillery from Mullativu and Killinochi not Jayasikurui.
/* SLA is supposed to have moved 8kms forward in past 6 months(Madhu sector, not elsewhere).*/
The slow movement of the army has always been the culture of the military to maintain low casualty counts. The culture of the LTTE has been the opposite, i.e. not much regard the lives of civilians let alone their own rank and file. The LTTE tactic has given spectacular results, however massive costs to the social fabric and civilians living under their control. If/When LTTE is defeated, you will see the effects.
/* So by your arithmetic LTTE should have been wiped out(3000 cadres) by now?? */
It does appear there is a never ending reservoir of people into LTTE. The reality is, thousands are dying. When has LTTE ever shown disabled or carders receiving treatment? The LTTE propaganda cleverly never report such news thinking as it shows weakness. The military however generally shows their dead, injured and the disabled in their websites.
I can't believe people have not figured this out yet...
Condoms are used to cover the nozzle on the gun so that dust, sand and other grime can't enter it to jam the gun.
The US soldiers use the same method in Iraq to prevent sand and dust geitting into their rifles.
GE,
Longtime no blog?? what happend?
Condoms are used by SOF who stay behind EL, to collect water in to crude water bladders.
And is said to be used by sappers to pack C4 or PE4 to make improvised small demo charges. especially to clear Anti-tank mines with "tamper-trap triggers"
Noltte=peace, GE,
Mates did you see the Center for R&D @ the MOD stall @ dayata kirula??
std,
http://www.lankatruth.com/full_story/2008/February/10/200800210_03.htm
interesting article
nemesis and noltte=peace
I don't come to DN that often because it has turned into a mud-slinging chest-thumping pissing contest between LTTE supporters and GOSL supporters.
Half of the answers to a thread are insults and defence matters are not discussed in a civilized manner.
Some of our own dumb posters have taken the bait of the LTTE posters and start arguing with them. Little do they know that no matter what they say, they can never change the minds of these LTTE supporters. Especially not with childish insults.
On the other hand, LTTE posters come here and post pro LTTE garabage just to piss off the sinhala posters and destroy the flow of the blog. And its working, cause some of our own short sighted Sinhala posters just can't ignore them.
When the sinhala posters start to successfully ignore the LTTE posters and their insults I have noticed that some LTTE posters start fights by posting something insulting to sinhalese under their LTTE handle and then they switch to another handle(usually a sinhala sounding name) and respond to the insult they themselves posted under their pro LTTE handle. On the outside it looks like a fight between two separate bloggers, but in reality its the same LTTE supporting moron with two different handles start this fake fight. They do this to suck in genenuine bloggers into this fight.
Word about DN and DW has spread around the Tamil Diaspora and they come here just for the purpose of of disrupting the blogs.
nemesis
I don't live in SL, so I don't get to see or visit any of the places you mention.
Defencewire,mate (earlier thread,
Guess i went a bit too ballistic,and i apologize for that!! :)..i really appreciate the opportunity,to share knowledge,insight throgh your blog,& the earlier post,was probably my anger at rampant corruption(in government),in fishy arms deals & was not directed at u!!
Certain observations:
-If the tigers already know about our military purchases,then why not disclose them,to us,the humble blogger?
-Non-disclosure of these purchases,as stated by u,is due to sensitivity..well,since this is a public forum,there cannot be any blame attached to anyone for disclosing these arms deals(except,maybe by Commis-kaakas,heheh!)..moreover,foreign intelligence agencies,like CIA,MOssad,MI5,would be able to obtain the relevant intelligence they require through their own official/spying channels!!
-I have no more faith in Tamilnet,pativu,etc..than i have in Defencelk.MCNS..i treat them equally..that is,with lots of bags of SALT!
In conclusion,defencewire,continue the excellent work, and i sincerely hope that you would alter your position,with regard to reporting of military purchases,based on the above observations...
Sri Lanka curtails school gatherings due to security fears
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Fisherman killed in Sri Lankan Navy firing
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Sri Lanka has highest inflation in South, Southeast Asia
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NOLTTE=Peace-
Well pointed out mate. Silva should realize none of us encourage for the racism.
Not all Tamils are terrorists.
I think Silva's comments should be deleted and warn him/her.
Jairam Ramesh(Indian Minister of State for Commerce and Industry) to visit Sri Lanka
LINK
Sri Lanka army chief vows to defeat Tiger rebels(TODAY)
Sri Lanka army chief vows to defeat Tiger rebels(TODAY)
-------------------------------------
Army general Sarath Fonseka:
"They are an organised force with a lot of experience. They have thousands of fighters. I don't conduct the war looking at deadlines and timeframes," Fonseka said in the interview published Sunday.
"Can a war that has been going on for more than 25 years be completed by March? But, what I say is -- give us a chance."
At the beginning of the year, in an interview with the state-run Sunday Observer, Fonseka said the LTTE had 3,000 fighters and pledged that the military could defeat them by mid-2008.
But in the interview published Sunday, he increased his estimate of rebel strength to 5,000 combatants, citing new intelligence reports.
-------------------------------------
very interesting !
LINK
Interresting article from Rivira;
http://www.rivira.lk/2008/02/10/ranabima.htm
Sorry If I offended anyone.
I don't like double standards. We all know the Tamils came from South India, and now they are claiming it as their land. What do you call them?
And when fight break out, and the country shifting in disaster, most of the Tamils just fled the country and living comfortably in Foreign. What do you call them some ‘a-holes’? It’s us who have to bear all the economic disaster, high cost of living etc…
So let’s finish them out, It's our country and the only way we will have peace is for us to wipe them out or ship them back to India.
Keep it up!
GE,
I felt like leaving my self..but we cannot give in...anyway glad to see you back. Best of luck, where ever you are.
Defencewire/guys
Tamilnet.com:
16 SLA troopers loose their limbs in Mannaar FDLs
More than sixteen Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops have lost their legs caught in booby traps at the Front Defence Line (FDL) positions in Pa’ndivirichchaan, Mu’l’likku’lam and Vi’laaththikku’lam in Mannaar district, since Friday, Mannaar LTTE Operations Command said.
The disabled troopers are members of the SLA Deep Penetration Unit and those deployed by SLA in the intermittent advance attempts to break into LTTE FDLs.
------------------------------------
Tiger snipers kill 4 SLA troops in Paa'laikuzhi
any info on whats going on ?
Silva,
Even if you said sorry, you do not feel sorry making generalized racist comments.
NOT EVERY TAMIL IS AN LTTE Scum!
Not every Tamil in Sri Lanka want to kill Sinhalese or divide the country. Majority of them want to live peacefully.
Silva, either you have not lived in Sri Lanka enough, or have not exposed to the Tamils of Sri Lanka.
Nevertheless, we all have to learn and accept 'pluralism' and live in a society practicing tolerance for each other.
EELAM mentality is a virus that has infected many Tamils who have been brain-washed and misled through many mythical creations of number of interested parties.
However, if the LTTE was defeated, and the leadership circle (the Board of Directors and Management) were eliminated, this whole terrorism and mythical Eelam would evaporate.
That's why the GOSL should concentrate on eliminating the central circle of LTTE, and put a secondary focus on the peripheral (who are in FDLs).
Remember the JVP, not every Sinhalese lived in the South supported JVP when they had this whole insurgency. When the maniac and the Management Team who advocated JVP insurgency were eliminated, it all stopped.
The same theory applies. LTTE can be defeated. There is no two words about it. It has been 25 years over-due. Now it has so mature that task is much difficult than 20 years ago.
The Tamils themselves play a huge part in GOSL's effort in defeating LTTE central leadership. Their are many enlightened Tamils, who now come to the senses that for the last 25 years LTTE destroyed lives of thousands of Tamils, following a mythical Eelam.
What Sri Lanka needs is a truly unified state that can effectively answer the challenges of Globalisation. Division is not the answer, but unity is.
GE, Tangara glad you are back.
silva,
Please don't ever say that again! It is the responsibility of the majority to protect the minority. We have a responsibility towards them. This is not Rwanda! Sinhalese are not HUTU or NAZI. We must not stoop to such a low level.
The condoms can be for a number of purposes. They can be used for military purposes too. We must not jump into such conclusions.
srilankan,
We think its a mistake. LTTE would want us to hurry up. When you hurry, you make mistakes. But the government is under a lot of pressure to give both a political (13th amendment) and military solution (mainly by India).
By the way, lanka truth seem pro-government. We don't know exactly. But its alright we guess.
sun tzu,
There's a combination of indirect firing and face to face fighting going on. Many of it dominated by SLA for the time being. Let's hope it stays that way.
gurunnanse,
Agree.
rajiv,
We did not do that math yet. SLA will release their own list with names shortly.
goldeneagle,
This is correct. It is also used for the same purpose during amphibious assault.
renegade,
We are being watched and even quoted lock, stock and barrel by pro-LTTE sites who might like discussions about government acquiring deadly weapons being publicised by a defence blog. This culd be disadvantageous in the long run.
jiffy,
don't tread this path. LTTE would want sinhalese to do so very much. That would justify their existence.
skywalker,
Thissa is a good friend of Commander Fonseka. we know he's well informed and have heard he writes well. But, always double check for sure.
silva,
no hard feelings. for us to ask others to be righteous, we must be so ourselves first.
DefenceWire,
Many thanks for your comments.
Defencewire and Eranda,
The LTTE racist Ram reappears here as "Silva."
Ram's profile ID is 10650590385472882224 and that exactly is Silva's ID too. So this is a LTTE looser pretending to be a "silva" making racist comments about Tamils.
Now for Ram aka Silva, what you suggest is exactly what Velu and LTTE are doing. So, I guess that you are mererly elaborating your own plans.
sam:
Good catch. LTTE is now willing to even bomb tamil kids to put the blame on the Govt whereas the entire issue now has a political bias than the race. I too suggest deleting silva's (ram's) comments to keep the blog clean.
sam,
Thanks for the heads-up. That detection is pretty amazing to me. You should work for the army!
silva/ram,
you have exceeded all limits buddy! But our stance stands. Any racism will be deleted on sight.
eranda,
Agree and will carryout as appropriate.
The Sunday Island newspaper has exposed the shameless US politicians who have lived on LTTE money.
A nice article to read
http://www.island.lk/2008/02/11/features1.html
Small snippet,
"Holt has definitely been a significant player in the LTTE strategy of attacking the Sri Lankan government for human rights violations and calling for international intervention in the country’s internal matters. He has actively touted the ‘Tamil homeland’concept in addition to lobbying for a US ‘special envoy’ to Sri Lanka. In February 2007, diaspora Tamils signed an online petition thanking Holt for his initiatives, particularly, for calling for a special high-level US envoy to oversee Sri Lankan affairs. "I wish to convey to you that you and your colleagues have won the hearts of the Tamils living all over the US and all over the continent of Europe," the thank-you letter signed by over 300 Tamils said.
Holt’s most recent effort on behalf of the Eelam lobby was a letter to President Bush, co-authored with Congressman Price, in July of 2007. Signed by forty legislators, including Sherman and Davis, it called for the enhancement of the UN presence in Sri Lanka and increased US pressure on the Sri Lankan government to ‘take active measures to end extrajudicial killings and disappearances.’ Almost as a postscript, the authors threw in a call to the Treasury Department to ‘enhance efforts to disrupt LTTE financing.'"
DW-
Any chance of deleting the raisists comments made by Silva please?
"Will expediting military operations increase SLA casualties unnecessaryly?"
not NECESARILY. there are enough ways to expedite operations by improvements; especially by increasing active air support for ground forces; heavier use of mechanised brigades; taking advantage of LTTE's inability to maintain multiple battlefronts/high casualties; etc.
there is no point in grabbing land; it is already ours!!! the killing rate must improve
more examples of "expediting" correctly........
"Heavy artillery and mortar fire was also directed at identified LTTE positions and group movements observed by recce teams in Muhamalai and Vavuniya.
Meanwhile the Special Boat Squadron deployed in Peraru West, East and Naval Headworks Sanctuary on Friday night ambush an 8-man team of Tigers including an LTTE local leader bound for the coast (Nilaveli) via Kumburupiddi jungles.
In the initial stage of operations, an LRRP team tasked with assassinating the Weli Oya Military Wing Leader of the LTTE missed their objective but managed to seriously wound the Tiger leader. "
Moshe,
hope your right.Keeping my fingers crossed and praying for the least casualties.
DefenceWire editors, you guys are doing a great job. Talking about pluralism… can you imagine where we would be if we harnessed the commitment and the ingenuity of the current misled LTTE cadres towards national development? With no war we would have developed the biggest little miracle in the world. We must not forget that the amazing advances in the human development we experienced in the 60s, 70s and 80s (and still do to a certain extent) was a collective effort of all people in the country. The Tamil doctors, lawyers and businessmen had a great role in the development of our country until the LTTE pitted them against the mainstream.
i too pray for low casualties; even the loss of a limb is as bad as death; i feel sad to think about them. most of them just early 20s; a whole life ahead of them.
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"The Tamil doctors, lawyers and businessmen had a great role in the development of our country until the LTTE pitted them against the mainstream."
chaminda, i'm just curious what you mean by the above? how can anyone 'pit' anyone against the mainstream? surely this only happens after some kind of felt injustice?
Jiffy,
I have been reading your comments and I do believe that your war is not only against the LTTE but tamils as a whole. Of course you are entitled to your opinion, but then again, it is this type of opinions and mentality which started all this in the first place. It is sad that you seem not to differentiate between the ordinary tamil law abiding person who lives in the south and the LTTE terrorists and what do you anyway propose? That only the sinhalese should live in Sri Lanka and that the others, if they opt to live there, abide by our rules and regulations?
Thushanthika,
No offence to you but, as DW has adequately pointed out earlier,
it is just that we refrain from making personal attacks and stick to discussing things of military relevance
mavKFIR
No offence to you but I really fail to see what you are pointing out! I have been reading this blog continuously and have seen enough and more 'responces' to a comment of someoneelse's int he same manner. I never intended to 'attack' Jiffy as asserted by you. I have just voiced out my opinion to Jiffy's comment. I am looking to see whether you may point this out to all the other bloggers who respond in the same manner.
thanks
Thushanthika
I'm very sorry for my hurried post. I was not making any personal attack on you.
I regret any inconvenience caused.
mavkefir!
No swaet!!
:)
regards'
mavkfir,
This was the original thinking in the Army for many years. That's why we fought over the A-9. Unfortunately, LTTE is a guerrilla organization. It hardly ever use MSRs to supply its cadres. They usually rely on local people, their food stocks, if they go hungry. They also do not fire heavy volumes of arti/mortars at SLA from all directions, unless there's a definite plan to do so. They have mobile arti and mortar units, which are difficult to be starved of ammo. Many of their existing weapons dumps were buried many years ago, during the cease-fire.
DW
thank you very much. I deleted the post since i thought, it might be a bit too sensitive to discuss it open. Thanks again for the speedy reply.
The reason i thought of bringing it up, was the large number of fishing trawlers enter perday. some 400 boats, if i'm not much mistaken. So i thought, of the amount of C4 they can bring.
Thanks any way for clearing it up.
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