SLAF bombs Tiger intelligence nerve centre

Rafik JALALDEEN

KILINOCHCHI: Air Force fighter jets yesterday bombed a most vital target in Kilinochchi - an LTTE intelligence headquarters said to be a frequent gathering point of Tiger Intelligence chief Pottu Amman.

Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said Air Force fighter jets carried out an air raid on the LTTE's main Intelligence Command and Control Centre around 6.45 a.m. It is located one kilometre west of Kilinochchi.

"The target was frequented by LTTE high profile leaders including LTTE Intelligence Wing leader Pottu Amman," he added.

According to Military sources, a meeting was in progress at the centre attended by high profile Tiger leaders at the time of the aerial attack. Wing Commander Nanayakkara said the targets were precise and accurate. "The LTTE suffered heavy damage in the air raids and it is still early to disclose the degree of damages," he added. The air attack was launched following information from the ground intelligence sources and air surveillance.

Tiger communication circuits have totally gone down since the attack, defence sources said. Reiterating a major loss to the LTTE, they added that the target site was used for coordination of major terror attacks at both civilian and military installations.

Nanayakkara said that SLAF jets also raided an ammunition storage and distribution point of LTTE located 2.5 Km East of Udayarkattukulam Tank around 10 a.m. The other air raid was carried out by the jets targeting a place where LTTE cadres were building a new defence line using earth moving vehicles in the East of Akkarayankulam area around 12.10 p.m., he said. Both attacks were successful.