TamilNet: 06.08.04 Passing out parade held for LTTE's special RPG Force units

Passing out parade held for LTTE's special RPG Force units

''Liberation Tigers were the first to use Rocket Propelled Grenade launchers (RPG) in the island. Sri Lankan armed forces obtained RPGs after they saw us using the launchers in battles. I created the LTTE's RPG force when I realised that armour was going to be a key component of Op. Jeya Sikurui. Our RPG units were very successful in fighting enemy armour'', said Mr. Velupillai Pirapaharan, leader of the LTTE, addressing the passing out of Special RPG Force units at the Tigers' Military Training College in the Vanni Friday.

Photo: Alex/LTTE

Col. Theepan, commander of the LTTE's Northern Front Forces and Col. Vidhusha, commander of the LTTE's female infantry units, also took part in the passing out function at the Military Training College.

Sri Lankan army's biggest operation was Jeya Sikurui (Sure Victory). It was aimed at capturing LTTE's strategic heartland in the Vanni. They deployed unprecedented armour to push swiftly into frontine Tiger strongholds in the Vanni.

The initial speed acheived by Sr Lankan armour slowed down to a crawl after it met fierce and sustained resistance from LTTE tank killer squads in the Vanni forests.