Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Thandikulam–Omanthai offensive

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700 killed 1,500 wounded
  
165 killed

Result
  
Tamil Tiger victory

Dates
  
10 Jun 1997 – 25 Jun 1997

Location
  
Sri Lanka

Similar
  
First Battle of Elephant Pass, Jaffna University Helidrop, Eastern Theater of Eelam W, Battle of Point Pedro

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

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 could arrive. While the fighting was raging an arms dump was hit by a rocket, causing 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 to assist the besiedged soldiers, but one of them was badly damaged. Finally the city fell and the Tigers held it for two days, taking everything they could.

The LTTE attacked the town of Omanthai 13 days later. To get to Omanthai they had to go through Periyamadu, where 250 Sri Lankan soldiers were stationed. As the Tigers attacked, all of the soldiers were so surprised that they deserted their bunkers and left a gap over 1 km long in the camp's 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. They headed 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

Thandikulam–Omanthai offensive Wikipedia