Air Force targets ‘Charles Anthony’ hqrs, training camps

Ranil WIJAYAPALA

Kilinochchi: The Sri Lanka Air Force yesterday carried out a series of air raids targeting LTTE military and logistic bases including the headquarters of the elite ‘Charles Anthony’ Brigade and LTTE women cadres base located south of the Kilinochchi hospital, Air Force Spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said yesterday.

“The Air Force fighter jets carried out three missions taking five targets at different times within yesterday”, the spokesman added.

The SLAF fighter jets raided the Charles Anthony Brigade headquarters and the LTTE women’s wing base located close to the headquarters of the Charles Anthony brigade simultaneously at 10.25 a.m..

According to sources, the Charles Anthony Brigade headquarters is located in a buildup area in the south of Kilinochchi and the cadres of this elite Brigade are playing a key role in the Kilinochchi battle in large numbers as the LTTE deployed them to face the advancing troops.

Prior to this air raid SLAF fighter jets also carried out an air raid targeting a LTTE leaders hideout three kilometres North East of Piramanthalkulam in Mullaitivu at 5.30 a.m.

In another air raid the Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets shelled three LTTE logistic facilities located 3.5 km south of Kilinochchi around 2.40 p.m. Air Force Spokesman said that pilots have confirmed that the targets have been accurately taken. The targets were acquired on real-time ground and aerial reconnaissance information received, Air Force sources said.

Intelligence reports also indicated that the LTTE has been completely baffled following these air raids targeting their hideouts, military bases, training facilities and logistic bases yesterday as their movements have been highly restricted due to these air raids.

The intensified air raids carried out by the SLAF within the past few weeks had brought positive results as many of the senior level LTTE leaders have to confine into their underground bunkers to avoid becoming targets of the SLAF.

Apart from this the SLAF also contributed effectively to destroy their logistic supplies, training facilities.