SLA deploys elite forces in Northern Front

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 April 2007, 18:08 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army has moved more than two thousand heavily armed Special Forces (SF) towards the Forward Defence Line in Thenmaradchi along the Northern Front, military observers in Thenmaradchi said Sunday, speculating a Sri Lankan offensive at any time from Jaffna's FDLs. Sri Lankan troopers were also engaged in intensive night training missions for the last three days in Jaffna's High Security Zone surrounding the SLA's Palaali garrison, in Thondamanaaru and Valalaai areas.

As SLA troopers were training in the north with targeted mortar and artillery attacks and gunfire for a night mission, more than 2000 Special Forces were deployed in the southern Thenmaradchi region, in villages Kappoothu, Manthuvil and Sarasaalai, were moved to FDL position during the last night.

Meanwhile, SLAF helicopters frequented the FDL areas from Palaly airbase throughout the day.

SLAF airplanes were also observed over Vadamaradchi East.

Sri Lanka Army and the Liberation Tigers exchanged artillery fire Sunday noon.

LTTE retaliated with artillery fire, hitting SLA positions in Koyilakandi and Thanagkilappu in Thenmaraadchi and in Ariyaalai East within the Jaffna Municipal area.