Colonel Gopith Special commander of the Charles Anthony Special Forces
Colonel Gopith Special commander of the Charles Anthony Special Forces 05.08.1975 – 30.03.2009
Today is the Memorial Day of Gopith, Special commander of Charles Antony Special Forces.
Vaithilingam Chandrabalan, a Mallavi school student, joined the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam movement as a Tamil named Gopith, at the age of fourteen. He had only studied primary education. He was good at writing beautifully and drawing pictures. He was full of the naughty and playful qualities of a young student. And the discipline and sense of responsibility taught by his father and schoolteachers had created a simplicity in his actions. Gopith, who started his field work as a young fighter in Vanni and Jaffna. He gradually grew in the movement due to his natural leadership qualities.
When the movement planned an attack on the enemy’s garrison in Jaffna, Gopith was seventeen years old when his senior commander, Balraj, asked him to prepare a map of the front line. He was overjoyed when he explained the plans to the leaders and commanders of the group leader. And the attack was a great success. This increased the self-confidence and initiative of the young Gopith many times over. Gopith’s field trip soon continued as a team leader for a three-man team. When his section was engaged in a clash with the enemy in Jaffna, Gopith, who was deeply shocked by the intense attack and the death of the section leader, he picked up the section leader’s mobile phone and began reporting the fighting situation to the senior team leaders and commanders. This brave action by young Gopith led the day’s battle perfectly and brought great success to the fighters.
As the commanders’ attention turned to him due to this action, he was given special training in telecommunications and mapping and was promoted to the section leader of the attack team. Gopith started his field work as a section leader and was soon selected for the reconnaissance team. He emerged as an excellent spy with his fearless nature, relentless search, and quick movement. He emerged as a famous spy of the movement. Together with the famous spy fighters of the movement, Veeramani and Sathya, the spy operations they carried out in the areas of Mullaitheevu, Paranthan areas of Aanayiravu, and Talladi military base in Mannar were very famous. Gopith was also skilled in leading his attack teams safely to the enemy’s camp and choosing alternative routes at critical times. “Leema”, who constantly monitored Gopith’s field skills and encouraged him, at one point took him to his command center and engaged him in various duties such as telecommunications, spying, use of heavy weapons, mapping, and training programs for young team leaders.
Gopith returned to the attack as a selected section leader from Leema. He fought tirelessly in the battle to defeat the enemy’s Jayasikkuru. Gopith performed very well under the guidance of the commanders of the Charles Anthony Special Force, Raghavan and Madhan. Later, he served as a scout and cartographer at the command post of Senior General Theepan. While Gopith was engaged in a movement exercise with the help of a compass in a dense forest, along with the leaders from various sections of the movement, he acted skillfully with his timely intelligence and reached the designated place first in a short time.
Senior General Sasikumar appreciated Gobith´s skills and made him responsible for the entire training program and further developed his skills. Gopith returned to the brigade from Senior General Theepan and led the team and took to the field.
Gopith was also an exceptional fighter who operated on many fronts at the same time as a small-arms gunner, a cartographer, an observer who gave projectile corrections, and a spy. In Operation “Oyatha Alaikal-2”, which liberated Kilinochchi, Gopith led the obstacle team as a platoon leader and acted effectively. The brigade’s Special Commander Shekar and Commander Raghavan guided Gopith very well and further developed his field skills. After the liberation of Kilinochchi, Gopith was appointed as a company leader in the brigade by Special Commander Shekar.
After Raghavan took over as the special commander of the regiment, leaders like Prakashyan, Iyan, Vallavan, Malaravan, Amuthan, Mutharasan, Jeevan, Analmani, Paruti, Devan, and Thennarasan worked alongside Gopith as his loyal companions. They were an excellent example of the brotherhood, discipline, and joint activities that existed among the regimental leaders. Gobith was a very lively fighter. He was easy to get along with, had a light heart, and attached great importance to companionship. Gopith’s unique characteristic is the humanity with which he interacts with everyone equally, from new fighters to senior leaders and commanders of the front. Gopith showed interest in identifying the unique talents of the fighters and developing them according to the gods of struggle. Many initiatives taken by Gopith with wisdom and foresight had created a great leap in the field operations of the brigade and the development of the brigade in the future.
Gopith was not satisfied with just building strong and tactical garrisons. He also paid attention to their artistic and clean appearance. Gopith’s platoon leaders and section leaders gave great importance to his advice and instructions. Gopith was a leader with dignity, honor and stubbornness. He would never give up his self-respect. And his self-confidence was immense. This was not a self-confidence that arose in a dry, arbitrary way. It was the result of long experience, sharp intelligence and unwavering motivation. This self-confidence has brought us great victories in his fighting career. During the time when Gopith served as a horned leader under the guidance of Special Commander Raghavan on the front line from Chuttitheevu to Uriyan, he was involved in various duties as Raghavan’s trusted team leader.
Gopith quickly completed the work of setting up guard posts and mobile tunnels in his area and took charge and implemented the training programs set by Raghavan. He was responsible for obstacle training, compass and GPS training, observation (O.P) training, etc., and effectively conducted the training programs together with combat training instructors Chinnamani, Geethan, and Gilman. His activities were so widespread. To control the movement of the enemy within the Souniya area and to ensure the security of the front line while the fighters were on training, Raghavan formed small ambush teams and stationed them in the Souniya areas. In this, Gopith took charge of a group under the leadership of Sectionleader Vijithran. The team repeatedly intercepted and attacked the enemy’s infiltration attempts. Gopith improved and developed Vijithran’s serious activities during this operation. When Operation “Oyaatha Alaikal-3” in Otusuddan, Gopith took the field as the commander of the interception team. While the brigade was led by Special Commander Raghavan, Gopith’s manager and young commander Newton, and other leaders including Sarangan and Soosai, were bravely fighting at Otusuddan, Gopith, under the leadership of Deputy Commander Rasisingham, was engaged in fierce fighting. Gopith’s actions were very intense at the Ambagamam front under the leadership of Deputy Commander Rasisingham. Gopith played a key role in the battle in which he attacked and captured the enemy’s largest army base at Kanagarayan Kulam. In this attack, Gopith handled heavy weapons very well and drove the enemy away.
“Oyaatha Alaikal-03” – after the Mannar front was opened and most of the Mannar district was recovered by LTTE, the attacking forces there were pushed back to their base after a short rest. And the security of those areas was handed over to the Charles Anthony Special Forces. Gopith was appointed by Special Commander Rajasingham to protect the roads and forests from Pallamadu to Madu-Thampanai. At that time, the responsibility of protecting the areas from Parappakkadanthan to Kalai and the forests of Katukkaraikulam was entrusted to Veeramani. During this duty, the two team leaders jointly formed small reconnaissance teams, ambush teams, patrol groups, etc. and performed very well. They were also involved in the opening work for the attack on the Talladi camp. When the Paranthan Rescue Mission began as a continuation of operation “Oyaatha Alaikal-03”, Gopith stepped into the fray as the commander of the obstacle team in the path of Special Commander Rajasingham. The enemy had set up very strong garrisons on Gopith’s route and were guarding it with heavy weapons. Knowing from his own experience that the situation was unfavorable for the fighters, Gopith decided to avoid the great destruction that was about to happen to his team and take another route. Gopith moved his team along the route broken by the Intelligence Department Commander Arivu and advanced, destroying the enemy’s continuous garrisons. On the A-9 road, Gopith’s comrade Veeramani, along with Platoonleader Manjuthan, broke through the barrier and advanced towards the Paranthan junction. At the same time, Gopith destroyed the strong garrisons on the right side of the U-9 road and captured the enemy’s main base called Kalithas Veedu and strengthened the positions of the fighters. In this battle, he fought from the front line and acted as an observation fighter who gave artillery corrections. The experience of the reconnaissance operations carried out in the Paranthan areas in the past was of great help to Gopith in leading the teams in this war.
As a continuation of operation “Oyatha Alaikal-03”, Gopith was fully involved in the preparations for the landing at Itta. He took charge as the commander of the first landing team at Kudarapu.
This team, formed with team leaders like Aiyan, Ilakkiyan, Paruti, Veeran, and Iyalvanan, landed first at Kudarapu and after destroying the small camps and garrisons there, entered the Itta area and then reached the A-9 road. The box strategy set up by Gopith’s team that day was protected by the enemy for more than a month and finally recovered the Aanayiravu.
Gopith led the fighters of the A-9 road of the box strategy, Aiyan, Veeran, Sindhu, Iyalvanan, Ilakkiyan, and Paruti, very well. Veeran’s team on the right side of the road and Devan’s team on the left side operated completely under Gopith’s command. In a fierce “tank” attack by the enemy to capture the road, Gopith’s position was destroyed, and he was thrown out of the guardhouse. Gopith had been unconscious for a few seconds, regained his composure and continued the fight. Aiyan and Paruti became maveerar.
After Ayan, Gopith formed a strong defense with team leader Sindhu, with the strong guidance of Commander Leema, Special Commander Rasingham, and Deputy Commander Nesan. Gopith’s speed and prudent actions protected the A-9 road in the area until the end.
When Veeramani broke through the enemy’s strong camps and positions at the Yakachi junction, we crossed the Palai River in a lightning-fast attack and joined the Anayiravu. Gopith was highly praised by the national leader and the senior commander Kaal. The financial officer of the movement, Tamilenthi, presented him with a new motorcycle and honored him.
After this battle, the national leader’s personal attention and concern turned to Gopith. The national leader praised Gopith and gave him various suggestions and encouraged him. After the Aanayiravu was recovered, our units captured the Kanakampuliyadi and Kaithadi areas and were moving towards Yarlpanam. In this situation, Gopith was involved in the preparatory work to capture Nagar Kovil. Gopith was fully involved in the preparatory work for the attack in the Nagar Kovil area. Gopith worked actively as the assault commander of the brigade. While Shekar was engaged in the task of confirming the route for the attack for operation “Oyaatha Alaikal-4”, Shekar was unexpectedly attacked by an enemy ambush team and was seriously injured while receiving treatment in the hospital. He became maveeran while receiving treatment in the hospital.
The Charles Anthony Special Brigade had lost three Special Commanders within a year. In a great tragedy, the national leader appointed new commanders to the brigade. Veeramani was appointed as the Special Commander, Nakulan as the Commander and Gopith as the Deputy Commander. Although operation “Oyaatha Alaikal-04” did not achieve the expected goal. Our units recovered a part of the Nagar temple and a significant part of the Eluth Madhuval Mugamalai. During this operation, Gopith oversaw a part and acted effectively.
In 2001, when a ceasefire had been declared by our national leader in the month of January, while Special Commander Veeramani was supervising the construction of guard posts in our area, the enemy launched a massive siege operation. When Veeramani and his teams launched an intense attack to break the siege and exit, Gopith planned and selected a route from outside the siege, provided heavy mortar and artillery fire to Veeramani, and guided his Special Commander to exit safely.
During this operation, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Senthan, who stood with Veeramani and Brindavan, who worked actively as the commander of the motor team, became maveeran. The intelligent and prudent actions of Lieutenant Colonel Gopith in the battle broke the enemy’s siege were very impressive. After this, when the brigade was engaged in front line security duty at the Mugamalai battlefield, Gopith acted as the Deputy Commander and in charge of a section. Lieutenant Colonel Gopith led the breakthrough battle against the Shatheechwali operation very well. In this battle, Gopith’s command center was repeatedly besieged by the enemy, but he continued to fight fiercely in the front line without any fear. In the final stages of this battle, Gopith directly went to the front line with his team and, through a very intense offensive, drove the enemy away and completely recovered our areas.
Gopith’s decisive decision and orders played a major role in the victory of this war. After this, when the regiment was stationed in Nagar Kovil, he acted as the area in charge there. In 2002, he was appointed to rear base duties on the orders of Special Commander Veeramani. He successfully completed many new initiatives such as a new medical base. Renovation of the administrative bases, and the construction of a heroes’ hall. Gopith took great care in maintaining control and discipline among the regiment’s administrative fighters. He created and led new structures in the administration. He held monthly administrative meetings and worked out clear action plans. He expanded his duties as a commander. He led all the administrative fighters to engage in short-term training sessions every day.
He encouraged young leaders and further developed their skills. He greatly encouraged and developed young leaders like Kumuthan, Silambarasan, Devamaran, and Kadattathikathir. He paved the way for young fighters like Jaffna Inban and Tamilamuthan to continue their school education and involved them in various trainings according to the needs of the struggle. The regime fighters were involved in shooting exercises and formal games. He organized a daily program of events for the regime fighters such as training, work programs, rest, entertainment, and games. Gopi paid special attention to identifying the unique talents of the new fighters and developing them. He took various initiatives to improve the educational knowledge of the fighters. He created training programs for team leaders and properly coordinated the training programs among the various duties of the government fighters. When operation “Oyaatha Alaikal-3” began at Otuchuttan, Gopith took the field as the commander of the obstacle team. While the special commander of the brigade, Raghavan, Gopith’s manager and young commander Newton, and other team leaders including Sarangan and Soosai became maveerar at Otuchuttan, Gopith was fiercely involved in the battle under the leadership of Deputy Commander Rajasinghan. Gopith’s activities at the Ambagamam battlefield were very intense. Gopith played a major role in the battle in which the enemy’s largest army base at Kanagarayan Lake was attacked and captured.
Gopith repelled the enemy who handled heavy weapons very well. After we had recovered most of the Mannar district, where the Mannar front was opened in the ongoing operation “Oyaatha Alaikal-3”, and when the attack teams there were moved to the rear to rest a little, the security duty of those areas was handed over to the Charles Anthony Special Forces. In it, Gopith was assigned by Special Commander Rajasingham to protect the road and forest areas from Pallamadu to Madu-Thampanai. At that time, the responsibility of protecting the areas from Parappukkanthan Road to Papamottai and the Katukkaraikulam forest areas was entrusted to Weeramani. During this duty, the two team leaders together formed small reconnaissance teams, ambush teams, patrol groups, etc. and performed very well. Both were also involved in the preparatory work for the Talladi camp attack. When the Paranthan Rescue War began as a continuation of operation “Oyaatha Alaikal-3”, Gopith took the field as the commander of the obstacle team in the path of Special Commander Rajasingham. Veeramani took the field as the commander of the obstacle team. Gopith played a major role in bringing out the book, Decades in the Fire, published as an attempt to compile the history of the Charles Anthony Special Forces. He took great care in organizing the book’s release ceremonies with sensitivity and artistry.
Gopith played a major role in forming the Ragaseelam Band and training and developing the militant artists in it. Gopith, who always welcomes and encourages the new efforts of the militants, sang a song with teacher Chinnamani at our band program held at the War Training College and proved to be an excellent singer.
In 2006, Gopith was appointed as the Special Commander of the Brigade by the national leader. Within a few months of taking charge as the Special Commander, the fighting began at the Mugamalai front. In this war, Gopith served as the Special Commander and Area Commander. Although this battle did not give us the expected victory due to various reasons, Gopith led the battalion’s operations without any loss of vigor and intensity. Even though many of the battalion’s attack commanders, including Thennarasan, Veeran, Nagadevan, Kutty, and other team leaders and fighters, became maveerar, Gopith displayed his skills by holding the areas we captured along the A-9 road with the young commander Pavalan until the end. In this battle, Gopith led the motor team leaders Silambarasan and Jayaseelan very well and developed them further. Following this, in October 2006, Gopith led the breakthrough battle that stopped the massive operation to capture the enemy camp. In this battle, many weapons were captured from the enemy and the enemy was completely defeated and driven away.
Gopith achieved great success by formulating and implementing plans for this counter-insurgency campaign in a very short period. After this action, new fighters were coming to the brigade in batches. Gopith paid more attention to training the new fighters according to the field environment and improving their intelligence. Gopith made great efforts in establishing new training bases and creating young team leaders. Gopith attached great importance to creating special teams according to the field environment with the attack team. Gopith led the brave fighters of the brigade such as Varadhan, Puratchi, Sengolan, Vivekanandhan, Amuthap, Muthalagan, Pavalan, Sellakandu etc. He divided the teams and assigned them to their duties. The hard work he put in at the training college brought us many victories in the battlefields that occurred in the following years. When the enemy began massive operations to invade the Tamil homeland through Mannar, the national leader transferred Gopith to the Mannar front to stop them. The regiment was deployed in the areas of Madu, Thampanai, Iranai, Iluppaikulam and in the areas of Panangamam and Nattas Kandal. During these days, Gopith stopped the enemy’s continuous attempts to advance and worked hard to establish and defend new positions and strategies in our areas.
Under the direct orders of the leader, he carried out various offensive attacks on the enemy and achieved many victories. Even when the enemy launched a huge number of conspiracies and forces against us, Gopith stood firm and carried out the orders of the leader. In Mannar, the fierce counterattacks carried out by Gopith with the attack commanders of the brigade, Veeramaindan’s team and Vanan’s team, stopped the enemy’s advance for a considerable number of days. During these days, Gopith worked hard to identify the enemy’s movements correctly, intercept and attack them, and prevent them from advancing further.
In 2008, Vimalan was appointed as the special commander of the brigade, and Gopith was appointed as the deputy commander of the Mannar Kalamunai under the direct command of the national leader. After holding the enemy at Mulangavil for several days, Gopith stopped the enemy’s advance at Vannerik Lake and fought fierce battles. After this, Gopith intercepted the enemy who continued to advance despite our strategies at Akkarayan Lake and attacked them fiercely.
Although Gopith achieved many victories in this battle, due to the treacherous actions of the enemy, he retreated from there and actively engaged in defending Kilinochchi. He created a very good defense zone around Kilinochchi and defended it for more than two months, preventing the enemy from entering Kilinochchi. When the movement tactically withdrew from Kilinochchi in 2009, Gopith was engaged in the duties of constructing and securing new forts in the areas from Pramanthaman to Visuvamadu under the guidance of Commander Theepan. Gopith played a major role in the battles during which many enemy weapons and artillery were captured and destroyed. Due to the continued betrayals committed against us and the large-scale invasion of the enemy, Gopith actively participated in the battles that took place by devising security strategies to protect Puthukudiyuruppu by retreating from Visuvamadu and covering the Vallipunam and Kaivelip areas.
Gopith, who was seriously injured during these operations, received treatment in a temporary hospital for a few days. After partially recovering, he returned to the battlefield. While preparing his unit for a serious attack, Gopith, who was seriously injured again, sacrificed his life for the liberation of Tamil soil and became maveeran. Colonel Gopith, who devoted his entire youth to the liberation and honor of the Tamil people and fought bravely, became a great hero and commander of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. His life and history of struggle will be a great driving force and hope for the Tamil nation and will surely lead our nation towards a life of freedom.
(Translation by Tamilpriya)
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