Iranamadu tank, sixth Tiger airstrip captured

Rafik JALALDEEN

Security Forces overran the Iranamadu Tank bund and captured the LTTE’s sixth airstrip in Iranamadu yesterday morning.

Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said troops of 57 Division advancing East from A-9 road in the Vanni had taken total control of the Iranamadu Tank bund.

The LTTE suffered heavy casualties and damages in the confrontation.

“Troops intensified retaliatory attacks amidst stiff resistance from the Tigers and over ran the Iranamadu Tank bund inflicting severe casualties to LTTE cadres,” Brigadier Nanayakkara told the Daily News.

Troops consolidated their position at the newly captured areas advancing further towards Ramanathapuram, North of Iranamadu.

Troops attached to 57 Division also captured the LTTE’s sixth airstrip yesterday morning.

Brigadier Nayakkara said the LTTE’s sixth airstrip captured by troops was 300 metres in length and 15 metres in width. “The main airstrip was located southeast of the Iranamadu Tank. It is also an extension of the existing road parallel to the Iranamadu Tank bund,” he added.

According to military sources, the LTTE mini airstrip was a conventional airstrip adequate for short lift offs.

“We believe that the LTTE had used this mini airstrip for training of its ‘rudimentary air wing’ and hard core fighters. The Tigers might have used it as an alternative landing pad,” the sources said.

The first LTTE airstrip was captured in Panikkankulam on September 2008, followed by the LTTE airstrip in Pooneryn-Paranthan road on November 2008, Ampakamam airstrip on December 2008,

Mullaitivu airstrip on January 10, and Iranamadu airstrip on January 14.