The details of a pretty elaborate plan to take-out the Radar by the LTTE has come to light thanks to a team of vigilant Sri Lanka Army Special Forces. The plan had three components. The first was a ground infiltration followed by Artillery fire topped-off by an aerial bombing by Zlin 143s to demoralize troops.
The first plan to infiltrate the SLAF base was given to a team of 12 Black Tigers who were to infiltrate the Army line from the side of the Irattaperiyakulam Jungle. Once the team breached the Army line, they were to move stealthily across to the SLAF base dressed as SLAF personnel. Then the signal was to be given to fire artillery and the planes would take off from an undisclosed location in Mulaithivu.
By the time the planes reach Vavuniya, all eyes will be on them and the Black Tigers would have plenty of time to destroy the radar station before the air-raid was over, thus effectively destroying the capability to detect any flying intruders from Mannar to Weli Oya.
Unfortunately for the LTTE a Team of Special Forces were on to it. The team detected the LTTE intrusion but remained calm, observing their every move. The Special Forces allowed the Tigers to creep in through the SLA defence-line but gradually encircled them without their knowledge. Once the intrusion went ahead unchallenged, the Tigers had called in the Zlins and the operation was on.
Unfortunately, the operation was over as soon as it had started. The Special Forces swung into action at the most opportune time killing all 12 members of the team but the Artillery fire had killed 12 soldiers from the regular forces and one member of the police and injured a few airmen.
The elaborate plan to fire artillery soon fell into disarray. 80 shells were fired by Tigers from inside the jungles but the WLR systems homed in on the battery destroying at least one canon.
Further pleasant news awaited the Security Forces. The Radar system was still in tact. Contrary to initial reports, the Radar station was able to track the planes before they descended and an F-7 managed to down one with a single missile shot.
