Triumph over terrorism
Rafik JALALDEEN
The Army was a major stakeholder in the operations against LTTE.
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Our valiant soldiers made their tremendous contribution to wipe out
the ruthless terrorism from the country after decades. The war against
terrorism in terrain jungle of the North and the East had come to an end
without leaving a trace of the LTTE. Thousands of soldiers laid down
their lives and lost their limbs to save the mother Lanka. Triumph of
the war was achieved by the gallant soldiers marching towards the LTTE
forward lines and smashing their targets. The Army soldiers paved away
to the victory in its world biggest humanitarian operation with less
casualties.
Army's diverse roles after Vanni humanitarian operations
The final culmination of the Wanni and Eastern humanitarian
operations with the death of the terrorist supremo in Nanthikadal
lagoon, meant that the entire Northern and Eastern regions as well as
the country at large became completely freed from the brutal grips of
LTTE. In the immediate aftermath of final battles, Army troops while
attending to urgent basic requirements of those internally displaced
people (IDPs) as the first leg were entrusted with the arduous task of
clearing debris and remnants of destroyed infrastructure. Untiring
soldiers completed their assignment within the shortest possible time as
the State machinery was creeping in for post-war restoration and
re-development in those ravaged areas. Taking immediate security
concerns into consideration, Army troops were subsequently deployed and
scattered in all sensitive areas in order to strengthen security
concerns and stall any attempts of infiltrations as normalcy was fast
taking root in liberated areas.
In fact, the Army as the major stakeholder in the operations against
terrorists found not even a glimpse of space for rest or recreation and
relaxation, instead extensive follow-up work, reconnaissance,
maintenance of strict 24-hour surveillance and vigilance, and subsequent
security measures inevitably warranted deployment of more and more
troops in newly cleared areas. More significantly, troops were compelled
to have more sentry/checkpoints manned, roadblocks maintained, search
and clear operations conducted, new security detachments established and
basically all other respective requirements streamlined. New
reinforcements, despite dangers of being exposed to LTTE's abandoned
booby traps, UXOs and mines, had to serve above urgent and vital
commitments. In reality, the extent of the region and its return to
normalcy demanded deployment of more troops than those had been deployed
for operations against terrorists.
In short, the Army's role turned more demanding and complex in
peacetime, as more and more responsibilities in the civil sector were
finding their way into those areas. More secured patches of land mass
meant more expanded service commitments, hence the need to multiply the
numbers became increasingly necessary. The scenario was identical to
that of Jaffna after the troops cleared the entire peninsula of
terrorists many years ago.
Training
The shift of focus gradually began giving priority now to stalled
Army training and skill development programs among Army personnel who
had to forego their career development training for well over 3 - 4
years for the sake of the country, as the offensives against the foe
were reaching their apogee, day by day. Multifaceted service commitments
and ground realities on the other hand continued to deprive hundreds of
troops of their prospective routine training opportunities and
prospective promotions.
All training establishments, regiments and different units meanwhile
on the instructions of the Army Headquarters put their training schemes
back on track. Opportunities for UN peace keeping training assignments
were also equally expanded immediately as more troops were inducted for
the purpose. Recruitment of new youth to the Army received a tremendous
response following war victories. Meanwhile, steps were taken to
introduce a new Diploma for short-term officer-cadet training course at
the Diyathalawa Military Academy enabling officers to collect new
qualifications to budding officers.
The wide training scheme, the Army usually follows, is to see the
light of day soon as new Headquarters in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi
formations elsewhere identify their ground requirements.
Humanitarian Role
Army's diversified roles and tasks cover many areas of human
development and eventual emergencies. Minefields planted haphazardly and
left unmarked by terrorists have posed a greater threat than ever
before, since records to that effect were not available, the challenge,
despite the gravity of the task was adroitly accepted by Army Engineers,
who have already received training in that field.
De-mining in war-torn northern area accordingly set in with the
assistance of government and Non Governmental Organizations. To-date
Army Engineer troops in this sphere have taken the lead and are in the
process of receiving more and more teeth by way of receipt of new
equipment being imported.
The government's initiatives have already brought down Indian
de-miners also for the same purpose who would work in coordination with
Army de-miners.
Contribution to Constructions
Simultaneous construction work, launched in the north and east by the
government continues to receive the full backing of the Army, as troops
have time and again proved that they are exceptionally adept in meeting
with any challenges, either in re-construction work or anything else. In
the most recent past, troops to their credit brought back the pristine
glory of the most venerated Madu Shrine after completion of the entire
renovation work at Army cost.
At the moment, soldiers in their thousands are busy re-constructing,
restoring and renovating war damaged infrastructure in the Wanni region
while erecting many new public buildings, schools, administrative
structures, sacred places, etc.
Outstanding among some of those development projects include
construction of bridges and major road building work, in which Army
troops have been playing a leading role.
Both Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu districts, whose infrastructure
remained wantonly damaged due to LTTE terrorism are fast receiving a
speedy facelift as hundreds of troops are engaged in re-building work
under 'Uthuru Wasanthaya' (Northern Spring) program with the supply of
new machinery, caterpillars, bulldozers, cranes, etc imported
particularly for this express purpose.
Army troops play a prominent role as far as disaster management
measures are concerned.
Their all-time preparedness came to the fore when the influx of
civilians in Puthukudiyiruppu-Nanthikandal areas occurred during final
phases of the war.
They were rescued, accompanied in knee-deep waters, provided
transport and even ambulances in some cases to take the sick to the
nearest hospital and finally re-located elsewhere amidst hails of
gunfire and commotion.
To this date, Army troops, hand in hand with local law-enforcing
authorities are providing round the clock services with the coordination
of civil authorities. In the meanwhile, rehabilitation scheme of LTTE
young men and women is also ably supported by the Army.
It is also pertinent to mention here that Army troops still
continuing their search and clear operations and de-mining in the Wanni
have been playing a commendable role assisting the re-establishment of
Police stations.
The Army's post-war engagement with numerous development schemes, now
in full swing, giving priority to resettlement, restoration and
rehabilitation will continue to be further strengthened as time goes on. |