LTTE reserves in Tunukkai

The town of Tunukkai is encircled and being infiltrated by troops from the 57 Division and is expected to fall shortly. Tigers have deployed several specialized reserve units kept away from battle until now to hold on to the town, including a Counter-attack team from Charles Anthony unit brought from Muhamalai and Nagarkovil areas.

The leader of this team and 12 others died in a counterattack two weeks ago while attempting to regain Kalvila in six separate attacks. The leader identified as Vithees was posthumously promoted to the rank of 'Colonel' by the LTTE at his funeral in Kilinochchi Town recently.

The team was deployed tactically, particularly after the SLA launches an attack, captures ground and builds temporary defenses. It would then infiltrate in small teams directing regular cadres to attack and instructing artillery fire. The origins of the team was in reconnaissance missions but later transformed into counter attack, combining reconnaissance (surprise) and heavy weapons fire.

The team comprised of cadres who had led the counterattacks after the SLA made ground during Jayasikurui Operation. Unlike in previous operations, the SLA no longer stop for clearing operations making it next to impossible to surprise them.

In recent times, the team was deployed in the Jaffna FDLs where they directed heavy artillery at advancing troops, and together with the Victor Anti-Tank unit, held off three limited operations by the Army. The unit is commanded by Theepan, who is now instructing the LTTE's Tunukkai-Mantai defenses. The team leader killed by the 57 Division was the battle hardened deputy to Theepan.

Meanwhile in the northwestern front, troops have now advanced 4 kilometers past nachchikuda and are now 18kms south of Pooneryn.