Radar installation near Jaffna destroyed as LTTE steps up attack

While reports spoke of hectic army preparations to ward off any threats of direct landings by the LTTE cadre, the LTTE claimed in a release that some of its elite commando units launched attacks on defence positions at Navakkuly and Chavakachcheri and other places along the highway in the peninsula causing havoc among the troops.

However, independent reports from Jaffna said, barring the attack on the radar station there were no reported landings by the LTTE. "Except the shells exploding in some coastal areas, there is no direct invasion of the LTTE guerrillas".

Reports from Jaffna today spoke of a grim situation with thousands of people in the coastal areas fleeing their homes and moving deeper into the peninsula fearing more LTTE artillery shelling and an all out rebel assault.

So far a woman has been killed and over 15 civilians were injured when LTTE shells landed on Chavakacherri market and other thickly populated areas around the coastline yesterday. Army claimed that over 280 rebels were killed while the LTTE has admitted the loss of 38. Army said it had lost 12 soldiers so far in the Elephant Pass fighting.

Army sources here said that coastal security in Jaffna has been beefed up To prevent any direct incursions by the LTTE.

The artillery shelling by the army has created panic among the people as there was no way out from the peninsula other than by sea. Jaffna, at present, is cut off as the LTTE controlled a large stretch of highway connecting it with the mainland and the only way out is the civilian flights which apparently continued despite the fighting.

The rebel press release also claimed its forces had killed hundreds of soldiers in their attacks at Thenmarachchi and other areas in Jaffna. It spoke of heavy fighting at the Elephant Pass army garrison.

The release claimed its forces captured more fringe defences around the garrison on the third day of the battle yesterday. With capture of army defences at Yakathchi on the eastern side of the garrison, the Elephant Pass camp housing thousands of soldiers was completely encircled by "formidable LTTE fighting formations".

The grim situation in the peninsula prompted the army’s Jaffna commander, Maj Gen Sarath Moonasinghe to appeal to ICRC to prevail on the rebel group not to fire artillery shells on civilian areas.

Meanwhile, the UNHCR and International Committee of Red Cross, which has offices in Jaffna made arrangement to provide food and shelter to over 5,000 displaced people.

International humanitarian agencies said a direct assault on Jaffna on the lines described by the LTTE would create havoc and result in a big human catastrophe.

The LTTE shelling has also disrupted the ongoing `O’level examinations in a number of areas in the peninsula.

Army sources here said the LTTE strategy appears to be to try hard to get Jaffna back before the December 21 Presidential polls. The LTTE presumed that the fall of Jaffna could seriously damage the chances of re-election of President Chandrika Kumaratunga whom it considers as its worst enemy.