COLOMBO (PTI): Over 300 Lankan soldiers were killed and an estimated 1000 trapped in a fierce predawn attack by LTTE militants on the strategic Pooneryn camp in northern Lanka Nov.11, The Tigers had taken possession of the entire armory at the satellite camp at Nagavetthure camp during the attack, launched at 0200 hrs. Local time. According 10 reports tickling in, the Tigers had snapped all communication link of the camp and no reinforcement to the beleaguered Lankan soldiers could be sent. The army was shelling nearby areas to prevent further LTTE advance towards the camp. Military officials in Colombo were unable to comfily the death toll but feared it may range between 250 to 300.The air force had Para dropped 250crack commandos in the area and planned 10. drop 1000 more troops to help the trapped soldiers.

Amy commander Gen Cecil Waidyaratne flew to the northemmost army base at Palali to direct the operations; Reports indicated that at least 2000 LTTE militants had surrounded the camp at Pooneryn. Government losses in terms of military hardware were also heavy with the loss of an entire armory, two armored vehicles, a battle tank and six naval boats. The ministry communiqué saida massive attack was I munched by the LTTE during early hours Thursday at the Pooneryn army and navy defenses. The militants caught the soldiers by surprise inflicting heavy casualties and decamped with arms and ammunition worth millions of rupees, Military sources said that around 456 to SOD militants dressed in military uniforms at tacked the Nagavetthure satellite camp. After taking away thee rare armory at the Nasavatthurecamy, militants used the six available naval beats to make their escape good. Later, they also. Quacked the Pooneryn camp. The militants destroyed the army radar and communication facilities at Pooneryn, snapping all communication Imks of the camp, There were around 1500 troops in these camps and reports of their. Whereabouts were still awaited, The LTTE attacks appear to be a revenge for the “operation Baldev” launched by the Lankan troops early in October, Government troops had advanced: around 16 kms into the militants” areas and destroyed several boats and boat facilities at Kilali, the lagoon used by Jaffna civilians to cross over to the mainland from the Peninsula. The ETTE”s attack was launched to stop the advance of the Sri Lanka Army.

Article extracted from this publication >>  November 19, 1993