[ad#200×200]ONE of the incredibly tough tasks, hitherto undertaken by valiant Task Force – I troops battling in WANNI, was triumphantly completed by Thursday (13) early morning when the troops brought the entire triangular DEVIL’S POINT to the west of A-32 MANNAR – POONERYN road under their writ.
The DEVIL’S POINT, one of the most anticipated targets of the Security Forces in the extreme west of KILINOCHCHI district was completely freed from terrorists, consequential upon a chain of pitched battles that lasted for a few days, following the most recent fall of KIRANCHI, PALAVI and surrounding terrorist hubs into Army hands.
This geographically unique Sea Tiger base with VALLAIPADU as the main fishing town was of strategic value to the enemy, since this extreme coastal point offered them a distinct and direct view of their northern POONERYN strongholds and newly liberated northwestern coastal areas towards central MANNAR to the south.
DEVIL’S POINT that served as one of the leading Sea Tiger training bases ever since the Tigers captured those areas has been of a symbol of prestige and military power right throughout for the terrorist cause. Terrorists using this coastal harbour-type cape, regularly initiated many attacks on naval vessels and other ground troops as their suicidal Sea Tigers conveniently operated from this base, launching multi-pronged sea-borne missions, on the directives of Sea Tiger leaders.
Simultaneously, this pearl-rich area remained an oasis for smuggle of arms and ammunition, explosives and contraband to the terrorist outfit because it is a quite close sea route to the southern INDIA.
This fish-infested coastal area, equally rich with Kadolana plants and other greenery provided the terrorists with an ideal buffer zone, enabling terrorists to thrive on their own and operate as they wished.
Tigers at their will afterwards carved out their own network of secret routes for their clandestine operations, instead of using the existing public roads that cut across to every corner in this protruding piece of picturesque land, particularly to escape aerial observations and bombardment.
LTTE’s eviction of hundreds of Tamil civilians from the entire vicinity to serve terrorist interests saw Tigers meticulously turning this complete area for exclusive resettlement of MAHAVEER families of the LTTE. Those very family members were systematically and forcefully inducted to carry out attacks on the Navy afterwards using them as cat’s paws and shields.
Invaluable coral reefs in this ecologically important sea area around the DEVIL’S POINT are identical to the famous Great Barring Reef in AUSTRALIA and it is full of tourist attractions. It claims unique biodiversity of the best quality and records a history related to island’s foreign trade and maritime culture.
The fall of DEVIL’S POINT makes the land stretch along the A-32 road now free of terrorists, enabling the troops to march further up towards the LTTE stronghold, POONERYN.
source:Army.lk