Thandikulam–Omanthai offensive

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Thandikulam-Omanthai offensive
partof=the Sri Lankan civil war, Operation Jaya Sikirui


caption=
date=June 10, 1997 - June 25, 1997
place=Sri Lanka
casus=
territory=
result=Tamil Tiger victory
combatant1=
combatant2= Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
commander1=
commander2=
strength1=
strength2=
casualties1=700 killed, 1,500 wounded
casualties2=165 killed
notes=

The Thandikulam-Omanthai offensive was a battle for the control of the towns of Thandikulam and Omanthai in Sri Lanka in June 1997.

The Battle

The battle began on June 10, 1997 when LTTE fighters attacked the garrison at Thandikulam. They destroyed the bridge on the edge of town so no reinforcements can arrive. While the fighting was raging an arms dump was hit by a rocket and it caused a huge explosion that resulted in many casualties. Another dump was also hit shortly after and caused the same result. Helicopter gunships were sent to try and assist the besiedged soldiers but one of them was badly damaged [ [http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_336.shtml Indian-Subcontinent Database,Sri Lanka, since 1971,Sri Lanka, since 1971] ] . Finally the city fell and the Tigers held it for two days taking anything they could.

13 days later the LTTE attacked the town of Omanthai. To get to Omanthai they had to go through Periyamadu where 250 soldiers were stationed. As the Tigers attacked all of the soldiers were so surprised that they deserted their bunkers and left a gap over one km long in the camps perimeter. The Tigers took full advantage of the gap by swarming into Periyamadu and pushing their way deeper and deeper into SLA territory. Within minutes the Tigers had reached the main military base of Omanthai. The Tigers struck swiftly, heading straight for the artillery cannons. In heavy hand to hand combat, the Tigers took the city, capturing six artillery pieces as well as several armoured vehicles.

References