LTTE sharp shooters take aim on Pongal day

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 January 2006, 18:16 GMT]
Liberation Tiger fighters from the forward lines in the Northern region battle front participated in a sharpshooting competition in an undisclosed location in the North Vanni region under the command of Northern Region Senior Commander Col Theepan on Thai Pongal day, Saturday, LTTE media sources in Kilinochchi said. This event marked the second such competition held in 2006 following the one held on the New Year, reflecting the increased importance given by LTTE military leadership to markmanship.

Several commanders and LTTE fighters from the front lines participated in organizing the event. Col Theepan presented the awards at the end of the competition.

"Interrelationship between technical advances, tactical innovation and battlefield capability mandates that skilled sharpshooters become an important component of our fighting force. Training in marksmanship, and in improved situational awareness to control fires and maneuver, are mandatory requirements for our fighters mainly in the infantry battalion," said Col.Theepan.

"Sharp shooters who demonstrate skills in range estimation and bullet drop compensation move into a more skilled group which takes additional training in long range target suppression," Theepan added.