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Sri Lanka Army

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20th September 2018 21:16:28 Hours

‘Cormorant Strike - 2018’ Enters Nelum Pokuna to Rescue VIP Hostages

Showing its presence in the capital, troops rehearsing in the Army-initiated mock Field Training Exercise (FTX), ‘Cormorant Strike - 2018’ stormed the Colombo ‘Nelum Pokuna’ theatre premises this afternoon (20) and showcased their daring rescue prowess by freeing a group of civilians taken hostage by enemy forces.

The simulated VIP hostage rescue scenario, replete with helicopter rappelling, surveillance tactics of sniffing dogs, manoeuvring approaches and strategies, etc testified to the courage, determination, meticulous planning, operational and tactical capabilities of the troops, engaged in the ongoing FTX and was commanded from a special operation cell (Ops Room) inside the theatre complex.

State Minister of Defence, Hon Ruwan Wijewardene, Senior Additional Secretary to HE the President, Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy, Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Ajith Kariyakarawana, Exercise Director of the ‘Cormorant Strike’, Major General Niyshshanka Ranawana and a gathering of tri service Senior Officers and Other Rankers enthusiastically watched all stages of the rescue operation at the premises.

Before commencement of the mock FTX, Commando Regiment (CR) Officers briefed the visitors on the modus operandi of the mock rescue operation. Commanding Officer of the 4 CR demonstrated the layout of the Exercise to the visitors.

Depicting the all-time preparedness to take on any security threat or challenge with confidence, 18 eight-man teams of 4 CR troops with 4 Nepal soldiers using Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter rappelled down and encircled the target before they stormed the enemy and rescued the hostages.

The rescue operation, launched with strict precision and surveillance took the enemy by surprise and allowed rescue troops to rescue hostages unharmed, sending shock waves among the rescued. Sport media | Nike