Humanitarian Mission of Liberating Vakarai
The humanitarian mission of liberating Vakarai in the Eastern Province, with the objective of liberating the civilian population from the oppression by the LTTE terrorists, started on October 29, 2006.
42 km long Kadjuwatta-Verugal road on the 132 km long Batticaloa-Trincomalee route had been rife with terrorist activities since 1996.
The operation was launched from Kadjuwatta and Mahindapura and headed towards Vakarai, Verugal and Ichchalanpaththu. By January 19, 2007, the Security Forces achieved a huge victory over terrorism by capturing the area between Kadjuwatta and Panichchankerni. In addition, the Security Forces were able to consolidate their defenses in Ichchalanpaththu and Uppural areas.
On 19th January 2007, Security Forces captured the Vakarai town, defeating terrorists. The victorious troops advanced facing mortar fire from the fleeing terrorists from Komathalamadu and Kadiraveli. Acording to intelligence sources, a large number of terrorists were fleeing through the jungle and Kadiraveli North. By afternoon of January 20, Security Forces captured Komathalamadu and Kadiraveli.
Over a period of 2½ months approximately 500 terrorists have died in action and a large number, wounded. 45 troops were killed in action and 180 wounded.
The haul of arms and ammunition recovered by the Security Forces during the Vakarai operation.
The main strategy of the Tiger terrorists was the use of innocent Tamil civilians as a human shield. They hid behind civilians of the area and launched attacks at the Security Forces, with a view to provoke them to attack them to be used for propaganda.
The unfortunate victims of this strategy were mainly school children and farmers. Children were denied schooling and write for their Term Tests. Farmers could not engage their agricultural work. Since the roads and paths were laid with landmines, they could not escape to cleared areas. Tiger terrorists attacked the Serunuwara, Kallar, Sirimangalapura, Mahindapura, Somapura, Akbopura villages with artillery and mortar.
Since the civilians could no longer bear the harassments of the terrorists and their children are kidnapped to be trained as terrorists, they began to escape against all odds, trekking jungle paths, to secure areas. In this backdrop, the Security Forces launched the humanitarian mission to liberate the civilians displaced by neutralizing the artillery and mortar of the terrorists. The objective is to resettle all the displaced persons in their traditional villages.
The situation is back to normal and the Security Forces are making arrangements to resettle the displaced families. The Army Engineering corps has been able to restore the bridge at Panichchankerni damaged by the terrorists and development of infrastructure will start soon.
Following troops participated in the operation Vakarai:
• First Special Force Battalion
• Second Special Force Battalion
• Third Special Force Battalion
• First Commando Battalion
• Second Commando Battalion
• Sixth Gemnu Watch
• Seventh Gemunu Watch
• Tenth Gajaba Regiments
• Eighth Gajaba Regiment
• Sixth Vijayaba Infantry Regiment
Artillery Brigade engaged identified tiger targets whilst the Army Engineers supported the ground forces with clearing tiger mines and booby traps. Sri Lanka Air Force contributed immensely, Sri Lanka Navy and Police also assisted the troops throughout the operation.
Troops are in the process of recovering huge amount of arms, ammunition and other combat equipments left behind by the fleeing Tiger terrorists in desperation. Followings were recovered by the victorious troops by 23 Jan 07.
152 mm Artillery Guns
File Photo: 152 mm Artillery Gun
The humanitarian mission of liberating Vakarai in the Eastern Province, with the objective of liberating the civilian population from the oppression by the LTTE terrorists, started on October 29, 2006.
Over a period of 2½ months approximately 500 terrorists have died in action and a large number, wounded. 45 troops were killed in action and 180 wounded.
The haul of arms and ammunition recovered by the Security Forces during the Vakarai operation.
The main strategy of the Tiger terrorists was the use of innocent Tamil civilians as a human shield. They hid behind civilians of the area and launched attacks at the Security Forces, with a view to provoke them to attack them to be used for propaganda.
Since the civilians could no longer bear the harassments of the terrorists and their children are kidnapped to be trained as terrorists, they began to escape against all odds, trekking jungle paths, to secure areas. In this backdrop, the Security Forces launched the humanitarian mission to liberate the civilians displaced by neutralizing the artillery and mortar of the terrorists. The objective is to resettle all the displaced persons in their traditional villages.
Following troops participated in the operation Vakarai:
• First Special Force Battalion
• Second Special Force Battalion
• Third Special Force Battalion
• First Commando Battalion
• Second Commando Battalion
• Sixth Gemnu Watch
• Seventh Gemunu Watch
• Tenth Gajaba Regiments
• Eighth Gajaba Regiment
• Sixth Vijayaba Infantry Regiment
Artillery Brigade engaged identified tiger targets whilst the Army Engineers supported the ground forces with clearing tiger mines and booby traps. Sri Lanka Air Force contributed immensely, Sri Lanka Navy and Police also assisted the troops throughout the operation.
152 mm Artillery Guns
02
Pieces of 122 mm Artillery guns damaged 02
Suicide Jackets 02
T-56 Weapon 360
T-56 Magazine 210
T-56 Ammo Box 37
TNT explosives 50 Kg Anti Personnel Mine (APM) 867
Rocket Popular Grenade Launcher (RPG) 07
RPG Bombs (HE) 14
RPG Bombs 60
Disposable RPG 03
60 mm Mortar Bombs 93
Claymore 25
Anti Tank Mine 03
40mm Grenade Launcher 01
Hand Grenades 65
Cannon Weapon 02
T-81 Rifle 02
Detonators 34
Light Machine Gun 02
Multi Purpose Machine Gun 01
120 mm Mortar Box 37
12.7 mm Weapon 02
12.7 mm Drums 05
30 mm Weapon 02
30 mm Ammunition 57
12.7 mm Ammo Links 06
9 mm Pistol 01
Oxygen Tank 01
I'com Sets 04
Sniper Weapon Parts 03
OBM Machine Horse Power 200) 02
Gun Carriers 01
LMG Links 21
Cord Sheet 01
MPMG Links 18
Telescope Site 01
Remote Controller 05
Bangalore Torpedo 02
120 mm Mortar 01
