Prabhakaran's fate decided after Lok Sabha Polls

We have been receiving highly credible information regards the slow pace of the current military offensive, which has nothing to do with a Cease-fire forced on Sri Lanka by the West or a rethinking of the military option.

DefenceWire can confirm, not a forceful threat, but a humble request by the Indians has been made to temporarily postpone the very last phase of the offensive against the Tiger leadership, trapped north of Vattuvaan. The temporary 'banning' of the use of heavy weapons was a symbolic gesture of this 'understanding' between the Sri Lankans and the Indians.

The temporary halting of a planned Special Operation to capture/kill Prabhakaran has been put in the back burner until the elections in India come to an end on the 14th. All naval assets have been pulled into prevent Prabhakaran's escape by sea and the elite units, Offensive Divisions and the entire government is biting their time for the opportune moment.

We have been told that the period AFTER the Indian elections, where a few weeks will lapse due to counting of ballots, negotiations between parties and formation of a government was being considered to be that opportune moment.

The top-level Indian delegation that visited Sri Lanka recently, and direct contacts between Colombo and New Delhi have ensured that the two states are fully engaged in honoring this agreement. Military sources confirming instructions from the political leadership claimed that as soon as the ballots are in the box and the point of no return reached in the elections, the special operation could commence in earnest.

The ruling party in India has made its claim that the potential capture, death or mutilation of Prabhakaran before the election could have a devastating effect on its election campaign. The government of Sri Lanka has been generous in accepting that stance so far.

Political observers we contacted said that in many ways, this was the best strategy for now. Sources claimed the political leadership was more concerned with honouring the 'understanding' with the Indians than following edicts from the West.