Despite a sizeable Indian naval presence near
Indo-Lanka maritime boundary and increased security on land, the
LTTE continues to operate from their South Indian hideouts.
"The LTTE is operating alongside the large Tamil
Nadu fishing fleet," an authoritative official said, asserting
that the LTTE remains active there contrary to stepped-up action
against the group.
The SLN Saturday evening confronted two LTTE
craft which moved across the international maritime boundary
alongside a cluster of Indian fishing trawlers poaching in Sri
Lankan waters. There had been at least two Indian naval vessels
in the area at the time the incursion took place. "There were at
least 60 trawlers. They were obviously shielding the Sea Tiger
movement," the official said. The SLN had swung into action
north of Talaimannar as trawlers were moving towards LTTE-held
Vidattaltivu.
This was against the backdrop of the SLN and a
joint delegation of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard meeting
onboard SLNS Sayura, near the maritime boundary line, to discuss
the entire gamut of issues. During the confab, the SLN had
emphasized the need to curb LTTE activity, particularly the use
of the Tamil Nadu fishing fleet to facilitate clandestine
operations.
Four Inshore Patrol Craft (IPCs) had intercepted
the cluster. "We used loud hailers to order them back. Sea Tiger
craft, which had been in the midst of the cluster had moved away
from the cluster and sped towards Vidattaltivu," the official
said.
The IPCs had chased the enemy craft. "They fired
two RPG (rocket propelled grenade) rounds at our craft without
success. They also fired a light machine gun and a general
purpose machine gun," the official said. The SLN had destroyed
both craft killing six LTTE cadres. One of them is believed to
be a senior cadre who had lost a leg in a previous confrontation
with security forces. The SLN is trying to establish his
identity. Speculation is that some of them may have taken
cyanide to avoid being captured by the SLN.
Contrary to expectations, the LTTE had not
launched boats from Vidattaltivu to help the trapped cadres.
The SLN had sizably strengthened its presence on
the Mannar coast to intercept enemy boat movements across the
Palk Straits. The SLN had inflicted sizeable losses on the LTTE.
During some of the confrontations, the SLN had destroyed Indian
trawlers commandeered by the LTTE. A case in point was the
destruction of a large trawler carrying a consignment of mortars
and the subsequent rescue of an Indian fisherman last November.
The recent destruction of another Indian trawler commandeered by
the LTTE in Maldivian waters had highlighted urgent need to take
meaningful action against the group.
