How Thoppigala FELL

How Thoppigala FELL

Ranga Jayasuriya, lakbimanews.lk

Of course, there are differences of opinion over the strategic importance of Thoppigala. Yet, there is no dispute that the military action was the culmination of the success of unique military strategy, adopted in the east since the military action in Sampur.For almost a decade, the LTTE controlled pockets of the East. Security forces identified LTTE held pockets in the East as sectors. These included Four-Six sector which is the area encompassing Vakarai, Kathiravelu and Verugal. The area north of the Maha Oya- Chenkalady - Karadiyanaru, Kokkadicholai, and Illupadichchenai was identified as Four- Eight sector and LTTE held areas in the Amparai district - Kanchikudhichchiaru- was called the Four- Nine Sector.Apart from those, theLTTE controlled the Southern perimeters of the strategically important Trincomalee harbour.With the collapse of the coastal strip of Vakarai, Kathiravelu and Verugal, the cadres were left only with their Four-Eight sector and the Beirut Base. This area alone encompassed a landmass of 1800 km area.On February 24, troops embarked on the mission to dismantle the last bastion of the LTTE in the East.LTTE Cadres, well entrenched themselves in two main camps in Kokkadicholai and Karadiyanaru, anticipated a troop advancement from Kiran, Chenkalady or Vavunathivu direction towards Karadiyanaru.
Massive build-up
This resulted in a massive build up and fortification of cadre positions in Karadiyanaru.The security forces’ commanders noticed their preparedness. They, indeed, fed the enemy notion of a military assault from the direction of Chenkalady and Vavunathivu by a false build up of troops in Chenkalady.But, the field commanders had something else in their minds. With the recent success of unconventional jungle warfare and small teams of operations in Vakarai and Sampur, the security forces commanders had a different battle plan.Meanwhile, filed commanders perceived the possibility of LTTE cadres blowing up a strategically important Unnichchai tank. Had the LTTE succeeded in this, not only could they halt the military offensive indefinitely, it posed the risk of submerging the entire area of Batticalao West, which would cause a disaster of catastrophic proportions.As they remain occupied with building trenches in Karadiyanaru, Commandos were inducted from Pulukunavai on the Mahaoya-Chenkalady road (A5). Commandos took the Tigers off guard, conducting a lightning assault on the enemy positions in Unnichchai tank. The troops took control of the sluice gate of the tank, thus neutralising the perceived threat.As the security forces captured Unnichchai, Tiger cadres anticipated a troops’ advance towards Karadiyanaru and Kokkadicholai.Troops did the trick again. Instead of moving to Karadiyanaru, troops advanced towards Vavunathivu. This strategic positioning which drive a line across the East and west of Batticaloa, divided the LTTE cadres into two blocs. This hindered the mobility of the LTTE cadres who pulled back into Thoppigala jungles, west of A 5 road.
Little resistance
This enabled troops to move into Karadiyanaru with little resistance. Days later the troops captured Periyapullimalai, located on the strategically important A 5 road. Later troops advanced into Illuppadichenai where Tigers offered a stiff resistance. Then the troops moved from Chenkalady, Black Bridge to capture the strategically important Koduwamadu. With that, troops had succeeded in flushing out them from their Four -Eight sector. By April 11, the security forces had secured Maya Oya-Chenkalady sector of the A 5 road. According to security forces sources, an estimated 200 LTTE cadres were killed during the military operations in the Four-Eight sector. However their casualty figures could not be independently verified. Six weeks to come after the capture of A 5 road, provided the security forces a respite. During the period of May 14 to June 30, IDPs were resettled in DS Divisions of Porativu Pattu, Vavunathivu and Pattipola in Batticaloa South.
Psychological ops
This also provided the security forces to engage in psychological operations against the LTTE, enticing their cadres to surrender.According to security forces, LTTE strength in the area prior to the operation was 1500.By the end of April, small teams of Commandos and Special Infantry Operation troops were inducted into the jungles of Thoppigala, which was now the only remaining LTTE bastion in the East.Small teams trekked the jungle foot paths to conduct reconnaissance missions on cadre positions. They provided directions for MBRL and artillery attacks as well as for air strikes.They conducted surprising raids on satellite camps, forcing them deep into their jungle camps.The Commando Brigade, 6, 7, 8 Gamunu Watch (GW), seven Ceylon Light Infantry (CLI) and 2 Singha Regiment (SR) surrounded the LTTE’s once impregnable Beirut Base. In the face of advancing troops, who operated in small groups, LTTE cadres moved deep into Narakamulla and Tharavikulam, an area given its terrain is advantageous to the defenders. Yet as the troops moved in, resistance was remarkably minimum. However, in one point in Narakamulla, Tiger cadres well entrenched in their positions put up a stiff resistance for two days.
Casualties
Five commandos were killed and 18 wounded in the first day of fighting. 35 injured in the second day.As the operation was heading to a close, seven security forces personnel, including two officers were killed in a Mutli Barrel Rocket Launcher attack. Further ten soldiers were wounded, when LTTE rocket fell near an armed tank. Tank had just finished bombarding a Tiger position and soldiers had got off the tank when the shells fell.These were the two main casualties of the Thoppigala offensive.Yet, the security forces casualties during the military operation were remarkably low.Indeed, this operation is an extension of the military operation in Vakarai, Kathiravelu and Verugal.The three main objectives of the mission were: (a) Zero casualties to the civilians (b) Minimum casualties to the security forces (c) Maximum casualties inflicted on the enemy. Eighteen security forces personnel were killed and 60 wounded during the military actions in Thoppigala. Further twelve security forces personnel were killed and about ninety wounded during the first phase of the military action which secured the A5 road and Four- Eight sector.A senior military commander said an estimated five hundred LTTE cadres were killed in fighting, which included about two hundred guerrillas killed in the first phase of the offensive.However, guerrilla casualty figures could not be verified independently.He said 150 LTTE cadres were injured and further five hundred are believed to have fled the LTTE. Many have returned to their families, he said, while 150 have either been captured or surrendered.He said troops have a watchful eye on theLTTE deserters, but as long as they desist from violence, arrest would be unnecessary. According to him, an estimated 150 of them have gone deep into the jungles. This includes LTTE special commander in Amparai and Batticaloa, Jeyam. Troops have recovered two 120 mm mortars, abandoned by the fleeing cadres. Both mortars have been damaged by the LTTE cadres. They are believed to have 5-6 120 mm mortars in Thoppigala along with at least one (possibly two) Multi Barrel Rocket launcher , which can fire up to 6-12 multiple rockets. Troops have, also, recovered five RCL guns, which are of a NATO variety. These guns which can fire up to 1400 metres are generally used against tanks and highly fortified enemy bunkers.By yesterday, troops were yet to start operations to look for weaponry buried and hidden by guerrillas.A large cache of weaponry including two 152mm artillery guns and a large amount of small arms, most of them buried were recovered after the capture of former LTTE enclave in Vakarai and Kathiravelu. On Wednesday as the Commandos reached Barren’s cap, the government officially announced that the last bastion of the terrorist in the East had been recaptured.But, it was weeks ago that small teams of Commandos who sneaked to the Baran’s Cap discovered that it had been abandoned.Understandably, LTTE could not hold on to the Baran’s Cap due to intermittent shelling and air strikes by the security forces. Yet, guerrillas holding in pockets in Narakamulla could not permit the security forces to consolidate in the area till the last week. Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Donald Perera and Commander of the Army, Lt Gen. Sarath Fonseka visited the newly liberated areas.
Inspection tour
The service chiefs met the troops in Illupadichchenai and later visited rock plateau, Ruchiramale, from where Nagesh, a senior LTTE commander operated.Nagesh led the Tiger cadres in the Vakarai and later fled to Thoppigala with an estimated 300 cadres.Nagesh could not flee to Wanni and according to security forces, he is still in the jungles along with a small group of fighters.The capture of Thoppigala is a watershed mark of military and political strategy to establish civil rule in the East. The government has already made it known that it is planning to hold local government elections in the East.The last local government polls in the east were held in 1994, after the security forces flushed them out of province in a coordinated military and counter-insurgency campaign.Major Gen. Lucky Algama and then Brigadier (later Major Gen) Janaka Perera led the security forces onslaught into Thoppigala as well as to the Four -Eight sector.However, the LTTE re-emerged in the late 90’s after military camps were deserted one by one as troops were shifted to the Northern theatre to beef up forces engaged in Operation Jayasikuru. There is no gainsaying that the recent military success would be a boast to the government, which, albeit, it’s all other mistakes has given a free hand for the service chiefs to decide operational matters. This is in total contrast to its predecessor, during which the political Generals ruled the roost.But, the hype over the capture of Thoppigala in the State Media and the long list of celebrations scheduled next week are indicative that the government besieged by a myriad of problems, both locally and internationally, is gradually sliding into the practice of its predecessor.
Celebrations and grim reality
Like capturing it, holding it is a tiresome task. A Task Force has been set up to keep a tab on the resurgent of LTTE activities in Thoppigala. The Task Force will comprise of the Commando Brigade and one Infantry Brigade and function under the command of Commando Brigade Commander Brigadier Charley Gallage. According to military sources, the task force will be converted to a Division once theTreasury provides the financial allocations for the new Division.With the capture of Thoppigala, it will free a large number of troops, who were deployed in the East for redeployment in the Northern front. The military top brass had already known their plan to advance the defence lines in the North, particularly in Weli Oya and West Omanthai.This would result the battle shifting to the Northern front.However, with the loss of East, LTTE have a unified force in the North. Some senior military officials argue that Thoppigala was “an admin pain” for the LTTE hierarchy who had to look after some 300 cadres locked in the east. Thoppigala did not have a direct supply route with the Wanni, which required them to fetch them via jungle paths. These were an administrative burden.However, in the absence of Thoppigala, the LTTE would only have to concentrate on the Northern front where they could mobilise cadres from one end to the other in a matter of hours.Prior to Operation Riviresa, the LTTE had three areas to look after; they are Jaffna peninsula , Wanni and the East.The Operation Riviresa forced them out from the peninsula. However in several months, the LTTE conducted a massive attack on the Mullaitivu military camp using its full force. With the humiliating loss of East, there is a looming danger that the LTTE could attempt a major frontal attack on either side of the security forces’ defence lines. Meanwhile, the government plans to celebrate the capture of the last LTTE bastion with a string of celebrations, which include a massive parade of armour, tanks and infantry on the Independence Square in resemblance to the Independence Day celebrations. Ceremonies are also organised at provincial and local government levels .