Tigers attack small Navy observation post

A large number of Sea Tigers who came in six boats launched an attack on a very small combined Navy-Army observation post in an island about 70 to 80 meters long off the coast of the Jaffna peninsula early this morning.

The Island of Chiruththeevu has a small team of men to observe Tiger boat movements and infiltration attempts into mainland Jaffna and Jaffna City. It is this small detachment that the Tigers have largely outnumbered and attempted to taken on.

Troops have managed to retain control of the island and the Tigers have subsequently withdrawn. Defence sources told us that a few sailors have gone missing. Actual damages to troops is unverified at this time. Search operations began a while ago after reinforcements arrived from mainland Jaffna.

It is customary for the Tigers to launch such small scale attacks for purposes of glorifying itself in the face of significant withdrawals in numerous fronts. This is the second such attack on observation posts within this month, the first being on Konthapiddi on Mannar island. Almost a year ago in May 2007, Tigers attacked a larger detachment on delft Island.