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Thamilchelvan was involved in many attacks: Colombo

COLOMBO: The Air Force on Friday said it carried two raids targeting the “gathering of LTTE leaders” and a base of the suicide squad also known as Black Tigers. A brief statement by the LTTE however made reference only to the air raid in which S.P. Thamilchelvan and five others were killed.

“With deep sorrow we announce to the people of Tamil Eelam, the Tamil people living all over the world and the international community that at 6.00am today, Friday 2nd November 2007, Head of our organisation’s Political Division, Brig. S P Thamilselvan was killed by the Sri Lankan Air Force aerial bombing. With him Lt Col Anpumani (Alex), Major Mihuthan, Capt Nethagy, Lt Adchgivel, and Lt Vahaikumaran were also killed,” said the statement.

It was only after the LTTE confirmed the deaths that the military talked about the casualties. It claimed that self styled Lt. Colonel Anupumani alias Alex was the chief of LTTE’s “strategic communication division” and in charge of handling all communication activities between LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran and the other “international terrorist agents.”

Describing LTTE as a ruthless terrorist outfit which holds onto “ideologies based on extreme tribalism,” the Ministry said the outfit had been fighting against Sri Lankan citizens, demanding a mono ethnic separate homeland for the Tamils since 1983. “In its bloody terror campaign the outfit has killed over 65,000 lives, including one former President of the country”.

Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) in a report said Mr. Thamilchelvan “was not much different from his weapon-carrying fellow-Tigers who are actively engaged in a killing spree for the sake of ‘liberation’ of besieged Tamil civilians.”

It said Mr. Thamilchelvan, “terrorist turned political head” played a pivotal role in a number of attacks on members of the security forces in the most recent past including the assaults on Kilaly, Muhamale, Nagarkovil Forward Defence Lines (FDLs) in August 2006, just eight months after Mahinda Rajapaksa had taken over as President.

The MCNS claimed that he escaped death twice with injuries during Kilaly operation in October 1993 and counter attacks on Yaladevi operation launched by Security Forces. It said he also played a prominent role in the Elephant Pass “debacle” while commanding terrorist groups way back in July 1991.

“His military experience combined with terrorist tactics dates back to 1985 when he joined the LTTE as the one in-charge of LTTE first aid scheme immediately after his initial weapon training. He was also the most trusted aide or the personal body guard of Mr. Prabakaran during his visit to India in 1984. “Thamilchelvan as a shrewd strategist threw full weight behind all deadly attacks on Jaffna based Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) and Security Forces beginning 1985, a few months after he joined the LTTE.”

The MCNS said, “Facing international and local media as well as all foreign delegates, he meticulously tried hard to win sympathy for their terrorist cause posing before the cameras with a serene smile which did not portray his actual soul. He in consistent with his terrorist leader’s dictates travelled to many corners of the world in the guise of attending ‘peace talks’ which finally were proved to be the best chances awarded to the LTTE for procurement of weapons and fund –rising.”

Pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in a statement expressed shock at the killing Mr. Thamilchelvan and praised him for “selfless sacrifice for the Tamil Eelam struggle”.

“Although his death is destined to create thousands of new Thamilchelvans who will doubtless serve our freedom struggle with dedication, we shudder at the repercussions for peace of this act by the Sri Lanka government,” said the TNA.

Separately, the military claimed that four LTTE bunkers were destroyed killing 14 Tiger cadres when troops launched countered an LTTE advance at the Muhamalai defence on Friday.

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