The SLAF yesterday morning launched a series of air strikes on LTTE positions on the neck of the Jaffna peninsula as the Task Force I (TF I) brought Pooneryn under its control fuelling speculation of a fresh security forces attempt to pierce Muhamalai defences.

The capture of Pooneryn marked the end of a critical phase of the offensive which has now denied the north-western seaboard to the LTTE. Military sources said that from now on Sea Tigers wouldn’t have the wherewithal to bring in supplies from Tamil Nadu.

The LTTE evicted the army from Pooneryn in November1993. The debacle at Pooneryn/Nagathevanthurai was the first of several humiliating defeats culminating with the loss of strategic Elephant Pass base in April 2000.

The TF I launched its push towards Pooneryn on September last year.

SLAF headquarters said that jets launched from Katunayake air base and helicopter gunships zeroed-in-on the LTTE positions as troops moved ahead of their frontline positions along a 12 kilometre stretch covering Muhamalai, Kilali and Nagarkovil.

Two infantry Divisions (53 and 55) deployed across the Jaffna frontline are likely to strike across the LTTE frontline, the scene of three previous costly battles which caused heavy losses among the infantry and the armour.

Military sources said that the Mechanised Infantry Brigade of the elite 53 Division would play a critical role in the forthcoming action. Speculation is rife that the army would step up the offensive ahead of the forthcoming Heroes’ Week which coincides with LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran’s 54th birthday.

With the Task Force I TF I accomplishing its primary task, it is expected to turn eastwards thereby threatening a stretch of the A9 road held by the LTTE. The TF I and 57 Division on its right flank would now form a combined front against the LTTE fortifications from Kilinochchi northwards right up to Elephant Pass, the sources said.