The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels in Sri Lanka, running short of ammunition, particularly heavy-calibre artillery and mortars, will try to tap the supplies from their South Indian hideouts, a media report has said.
"As Tigers experience what the military believes is the worst shortage of ammunition, particularly artillery and mortars, the Sri Lankan Navy is stepping up its efforts to prevent them from bringing in fresh supplies to the Mannar mainland," The Island Newspaper quoted official sources as saying.
It claimed that the "enemy (LTTE) would now try to bring in whatever supplies available in their South Indian hideouts," it reported.
"The Island newspaper learns that Sri Lanka had brought this to India's notice sometime back," the daily said in its front-page story adding "even aviation fuel (by LTTE) is believed to have been acquired from some Indian suppliers."
"The Sri Lankan Navy's task has been reasonably made easier after the recent capture of the Sillavaturai area, south of the Mannar Island. Now the rebels are left with approximately the 22 nautical mile Vidattaltivu and Pooneryn road stretch north of the Mannar Island," the daily quoted unnamed official as saying.
However, another official dismissed reports that the LTTE cadres would try to reach India due to escalating hostilities in northern Sri Lanka, the paper said. The official said the primary task of the Sri Lankan Navy and the Indian Coast Guard would be to deny the LTTE freedom of movement in the Gulf of Mannar.
"That was to prevent the LTTE from bringing in supplies to Mannar mainland located near the Palk Straits," the paper said.