3RD LEAD (UPDATE)
"Objective accomplished, forces returned to CFA positions" - LTTE
[TamilNet, Saturday, 05 August 2006, 11:04 GMT]
The militay spokesman of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Irasaiah Ilanthiayan, told TamilNet that the LTTE troops, by midnight Friday, returned to their original positions as per February 22, 2002 Ceasefire Agreement. 32 LTTE fighters, including a Lieutinent Colonel and another senior cadre of the Tigers were killed in the operation that excerted a military pressure to Colombo's military offensive to resolve a civilian dispute, Mr. Ilanthirayan said. Two SLN Dvora Fast Attack Crafts (FACs) were destroyed and sunk, 3 boats were damaged. Mortars, Light Machine Guns and ammunitions were seized.
The LTTE attacked SLA camps in Mahindapura, Selvanagar, 64th Mile Post, Kaddaiparichchan camp, Muthur Jetty Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) camp and Pachchanoor position.
SLA camp attached to Muthur Police was also attacked.
Military Spokesperson of the Tigers, Mr. Irasaiah Ilanthirayan (Marshall)
The speedy operation was brought to an end as most of the targets were overrun, Ilanthirayan said.
When asked whether it was a "limited operation," the LTTE military spokesman said:
"Every military operation is limited till the objective of the mission is achieved. Our objective of the mission, with a defensive character, was accomplished and our forces returned to their positions as per February 22, 2002 Ceasefire."
Lt. Col. Kunchan (Isayamuthan) was one of the two senior LTTE cadres who were killed in the operation.
"The operation aimed at giving a military pressure was speedly carried out and ceased the same way, as our national leader was highly concerned of the humanitarian situation in the entire Trincomalee district," Ilanthirayan further said.
"We launched the operation after notifying the Muslim leaders in Muthur Mosque Society 2 hours in advance Tuesday night. We launched the operation at 2:00 a.m. the society leaders were notified midnight to evacuate civilians to safe locations."
Ilanthirayan, commenting on the continued artillery attacks by Sri Lanka Army in Veruhal river area and Ilankaithurai Muhathuwaram, said he viewed the attacks as "highly provacative," sending wrong signals to the LTTE leadership.
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