Heavy LTTE casualties in air strike

by Defencenet

(January 24, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) It was only yesterday (24th) when Sri Lanka Air Force used 6 of its fighter jets to raid a major LTTE military facility deep inside the jungles east of Iranamadu. More details are now surfacing regarding the aftermath of one of the most devastating air strikes in the Eelam War 4.

According to military intelligence reports, hospitals in Kilinochchi are being filled with wounded LTTE cadres. Intel reports suggest that a significant number of cadres from Prabhakaran's elite guard unit, the Imran-Pandiyan regiment, are among the wounded.

However there is still no confirmation on any injuries caused to LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran. The pilots who took part in the raid could not confirm if anti aircraft fire was directed at their planes or not. LTTE usually places its truck mounted 14.5mm AA batteries in close proximity to LTTE leader's hideouts in fear of air strikes. If AA fire was absent when the attack occurred it may be an indication of LTTE leader having just left the scene prior to bombing. This however is a wild guess as of this moment.

SLAF used 24 bunker buster bombs to attack the X-Ray base, razing its buildings to dust in a matter of minutes.

Meanwhile, LTTE maintained radio silence after a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) raid targeted one of its highly secured military complexes deep inside the jungles east of Iranamadu today morning. LTTE also ordered all shops in Kilinochchi town to be closed down immediately following the aerial raid. SLAF used 6 fighter jets simultaneously in one of the largest air strikes in the 4th Eelam War. However there is still no confirmation on any injuries caused to the LTTE leader Prabhakaran, who was supposedly present at the base during the bombing.

In the northern front, soldiers from 10th Gajaba regiment, 8th Gemunu watch and Commando regiment carried out several limited operations ahead of newly captured areas in Uliyankulam. LTTE casualty details in these operations are not available as of now.

At least 20 LTTE cadres have been killed in sporadic clashes that erupted in Mannar, Vavuniya and Weli Oya fronts in the last three days.