Commandos wearing gas masks during a mock Hostage Rescue Mission. Source Army.lkSources from the front indicated that soldiers, who were unprotected at the time were evacuated after showing signs of exposure to a chemical compound which induced tearing in the eyes, breathing difficulty and vomiting. The operations were continued despite the attack, which was not directed in a large scale and was limited to one particular area.
The manner in which the gas was released is under investigation although it is believed that gas grenades were used to fire the chemical at advancing troops. The Sri Lanka Army's elite Commando and Special Forces units are trained to face CS gas attacks during basic training in specially designed gas chambers.
Although sirens went off in civilian circles, the LTTE's capacity to produce and administer large doses of lethal chemicals and other compounds is highly questionable. Although production of small quantities would be possible, it is constantly challenged by air raids on LTTE installations in the Wanni.
Meanwhile troops from 57 Division operating in Nachchikuda today captured 4km stretch of the LTTE's Nachchikuda-Kokavil line while the 58 Division captured 1.5km of an LTTE trenchline also in the general area Nachchikuda. With these developments, the Army is less than 1km west of the A-9 highway and are 5km south of Kilinochchi town limits.
Despite claims of killing 22 SLA last Monday the Tigers have neither handed over bodies nor shown pictures of the bodies allegedly captured by them during the fight. The Army lost 8 Special Forces to indirect fire and two regular infantrymen were also killed when Tigers attempted to breach the flanks. 20 others were also wounded in the fighting.
The Tiger losses stood at 60 killed with around 60 others injured.
