Massive Search operation after Yala Bomb blast

By: Defencewire

(October, 16, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Hundreds of soldiers started a fresh operation inside the Yala National Park,Sri Lanka's main sanctuary, after a bomb blast followed by the overnight raid on an army detachment,killing at least 06 soldiers.

A tractor which carrying the dead bodies of soldiers in last night attack, caught in a land mine short while ago,killing one soldier and injuring another 05,top military officials told defence wire.

Yala National Park,situated in the deep down south,was due to be opened today for public after annual closure of the park for reconstruction work. LTTE team came from Ampara attacked the last detachment in Thalgasmankada,established for years to protect the sanctuary.

"Minutes after we were altered the incident,all communication with the camp was cut off"an officer describe the attack told on the condition of anonymity.

Another camp which also located near by Thalgasmankada camp vacated soon after the incident on precautionary measure, he added.

Two more soldiers are missing in action and another is injured. The LTTE unit which launched the attack had come along the Menik Ganga, along what is considered an ancient pilgrimage route to Katharagama Kovil. Army reinforcements from Kondawattuwaan managed to retake the detachment by 10pm the same day.

The attack came during Special Task Force attempts to neutralize LTTE Leader Ram and his men. Military Intelligence had warned of increased efforts by this unit to destabilize the newly captured areas. DefenceWire also indicated a heightened activity by the group since the Claymore ambush of 6 STF personnel.

LTTE's tactics seems to be to thin-out the Military in the District and beyond and to refocus the thrust being planned for the Vanni back to the East. The attack also indicates careful planning on the part of the Tigers. It is unlikely that the attack was launched by cadres trapped in Thoppigala since this was no break-out attempt. It is unlikely for trapped fighters to draw unnecessary attention to them, unless they are on the offensive.

The attack will serve as a morale booster for LTTE and its sympathizers, particularly in the Diaspora. The overall military significance of the battle seems negligible, unless panicked politicians start erecting defensive fortifications thus committing large numbers of troops to bunker duties.