MORE and more startling recoveries, being made by valiant Army troops from the newly-captured areas in the former PUTUMATTALAN ‘No Fire Zone’ assert that Tiger terrorists in reality were flexing muscles not only to carve out a separate ‘Eelam’ for them, but also for domination of the entire Sri Lanka, thus becoming a potential danger to the whole of the South Asian region.
Look at what troopers, attached to 6 Gajaba Regiment in the 53 Division captured, from KARAYANMULLIVAIKKAI area as they marched into the last land patch of the terrorists during the weekend. Military hardware including three anti aircraft guns (AAG), one more huge armoured plate truck, one earth-moving Bachoe machine, one water scooter and AAG ammunition rounds.
Two of those AAGs were mounted on LTTE double cabs which have been apparently used extensively by Tiger gunmen. On 5th April 2009, troops after intense fighting in PUTHUKUDIYIRUPPU uncovered a similar AAG along with three 130 mm artillery guns and one 85 mm artillery gun. (See Situation Report 5th April 2009).
The anti aircraft gun captured from KARAYANMULLIVAIKKAI beach side of the MULLAITTIVU seas Monday (11) had a story to tell. It has been left close to a concrete bunker that runs several feet deep into the earth. The underground bunker, as the photos show, was with explosives and its detonating light blue-colour cord had been connected to an undisclosed object, outside the bunker at the time troops overran the area. Tigers would have deceptively deployed the trap, inviting the troops to enter the area. However, troops meticulously detached the detonating cord and took control of the AAG on the beach side Monday (11) morning.
All those AAGs, belonging to the ZPU model had either 20 mm single barrel or 23 mm double barrels with different variants. They are also capable of taking both aerial or altitudinal targets of 2000-2500 meters. With a muzzle velocity of about 3200 ft, its armour penetration is at 500 m according to the type of the weapon. The most powerful twin 23 mm automatic AAG (ZU 23) has entered service in 1949. The double barrel with wheels that fold and is raised from the ground in the firing position as wheels is air cooled and fire a variety of ammunition. The single barrel can be broken down into several pieces for transport over rough grounds. Generally 4-5 people are needed for operation. The maximum range covers 8000 m with an altitude of 5000 m. It could take as many as 4800 ammunition rounds per minute depending on its type.
The improvised armour-plated six-wheel truck captured was identical to that of a military Unicorn. Like the one captured on 28th April 2009 (See Situation Report 28th April 2009), the long bullet-proof vehicle can accommodate several people inside. The water scooter found with its spares has been seemingly used by Tigers for clandestine sea missions.
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