Keep them guessing and fighting for their land

The Army has started to really bewilder the LTTE with its tactics. Troop movements have become like pieces in a chessboard-- unpredictable yet strategic.

The LTTE prepared fortifications north of Nachchikuda expecting the SLA to come north. However, to its amazement, the 58 Division turned Eastwards and have advanced several kilometers towards Vannerikulam, east of Nachchikuda. Their objective seems to be to dismantle an 18km FDL constructed by the Tigers against the advancing 57 Division.

The 57 Division (571) turned northwards instead of turning towards Murikandy/Kokavil on the A9. They are now at Akkarayankulam Tank. Akkarayan Kulam is southeast of Akkarayan Town, which is a 'suburb' of Kilinochchi. With this move, the 571 is now less than 11km from Kilinochchi Town.

The 57 Divisions other Brigades have now turned towards the A9, gradually encircling Mallavi and eying the vast jungles of Mankulam. From here upto Kokavil, the Army could pose a considerable headache to the Tigers.

Meanwhile the Army's Intelligence units have stressed the importance of greater accuracy in the bombing runs by jet bombers from Number 10 Squadron. They point out that each target missed in an inaccurate bombing run humiliates them before their informants.

However, the Attack Helicopter Squadron operating out of Polonnaruwa is doing a yeoman service. Coming to within a few dozen meters to the target, MI-24 squadrons have provided valuable fire support to the infantry in all battlefronts. This has considerably reduced risks to infantrymen while adding a psychological boost to the men on the ground.