The shocking loss of ‘Colonel Kittu, Special Commander of the Artillery Regiment’ – Colonel Raju
The shocking loss of ‘Colonel Kittu, Special Commander of the Artillery Regiment’ – Colonel Raju
The news slowly began to invade Tamileelam like cancer. The wind that swept across the sea scorched the body of our country. “Who is he?” Our people were struggling to find an answer to this question. Everything was kept secret.
We were struggling to digest the separation of the unparalleled warrior who had carefully hidden all our war achievements from being revealed when we spoke and wrote.
Our Colonel Raju was a calm and determined iron man. The secret man who was kept behind the mysterious pages of the LTTE movement. Even though he lived in the fields where life was being eaten day after day, we believed that he would live until the day the Tamileelam nation would rise. We protected our commander, who was kept incognito due to the secret nature of the movement, even on the battlefields. How could we introduce him to the people he loved in one night? The memories of nineteen years of tireless work flowed like a wild stream.
The young man who aspired to become an engineer was defeated by the standardization of education. With the hope of achieving that goal through a London university, he was living in the capital of Sinhala at the age of twenty-two in 1983. At that time, Sinhala was in a state of great murder. Tamils were slaughtered without distinction, whether children or adults, women or men. Tamils’ properties were looted. They were burned and destroyed. Raju, who felt that he too had no security, somehow reached his homeland. He joined the freedom struggle, wanting to free the Tamils from the atrocities of the Sinhalese.
While training at the third training camp in India, he was identified by Ponnamman. He served as the assistant to Lt. Col. Radha, the in-charge of the fifth training camp. He set foot in Tamileelam with him. His role in the many victories won by the movement since then has been immense.
Raju’s expertise in telecommunications, electronics and ammunition led to many valuable victories won by us in Mannar under the guidance of Commander Vikram. He also fought directly in the fields. He was part of the team that went to attack Thiriconamalai and was wounded in the chest. Later, in a battle in Mannar, he sustained a serious wound in one of his legs from an enemy bullet. After the martyrdom of Commander Vikram at Adampan, he served under the command of Commander Radha.
After Colonel Kittu lost his leg to a bomb thrown by a traitor, Raju’s work in Yarlpanam continued under the command of Radha. The telecommunications unit that had already been started grew further under Raju’s leadership. The enemy paid a high price for his explosive techniques on the battlefields. The attacks carried out by Raju on the enemy’s supply lines on the Palali-Kankasanthurai road are well known to many. At that time, the bearded Raju was well known to the people as he would always go in search of the enemy with a bag full of explosives.
The national leader also knew the potential that Raju had displayed in various fields. He identified Raju as one of the people who could realize his dream of building our freedom movement into a powerful organization with a strong traditional army. He paid great attention to developing him further. After the martyrdom of the Commander Lt. Col. Radha, he engaged Raju in his direct duties.
From that day until his last day, Raju worked closely with the national leader. During the time that Raju worked closely with the national leader, many developments took place in the war. Whenever obstacles that could have caused great harm to our nation were broken, his knowledge, personality and hard work played a major role. Raju strengthened every stage of development of our army. The military tasks that came under the national leader’s special attention were entrusted to Raju. He took charge of the areas of telecommunications, ammunition and electronics, which were essential for the development of the military, and led to great development and led to the growth of our liberation movement.
From the “Joni” landmine used against the Indian forces to the landmines and booby traps used to defeat the “Firearm” operation of the Sinhalese forces, from Basilan, who terrified the enemies in the Second Eelam War to the development of our motorized and infantry forces in the Third Eelam War from 2000 to the production of explosives for the first Karumpuli attack conducted by us to the current development of the Naval Team of the LTTE, he stood by the leader in many military tasks that can be mentioned and cannot be mentioned here.
During the atrocities of the Indian Peace Keeping Forces, Raju was sent abroad by the national leader on a special mission. When he returned, the Indian army had surrounded the national leader’s area in the Manalau forest. They were preparing for a major battle, calling it the final battle. Raju’s work, which reached the national leader, was one of the important factors that determined the outcome of the war.
Raju’s creation of the “Joni” landmine, which put the Indian forces on their backs, according to the national leader’s design, will forever establish him in history. The fighter who was near Raju when Joni made the landmine, recalls those days.
“At that time, he had only a Swiss Army knife. He had no other basic facilities. When the leader explained the plan and how to win the war through it, Raju understood its importance. He forgot his sleep to create “Joni”. He sought victory without looking for reasons like no sword, no chisel, no knife. Despite losing many times, he tried hard and won.”
After the Indian Army was expelled, during the Second Eelam War, he was in charge of the arms factory and carried out many products that were responsible for many victories. “Basilan 2000” which contributed significantly to the fall of many army camps is one of those products. The explosion of “Basilan 2000” will always strike fear in the minds of the soldiers who survived the forts, Mangulam and Aanayiravu. The technologies developed by Raju in the Karumpuli offensive operations still threaten the enemy on land and sea. In addition to these, new types of weapons introduced in the movement from time to time come out from Raju’s hands.
He paid the same attention to the development of the movement’s military department as he did to the welfare of the fighters under his charge. He searched books to find ways to protect the fighters who worked with explosives every day, carefully studied the issues and implemented the correct procedures. He was always concerned that the explosive devices produced by us should be for the achievement of our fighters. On the contrary, they should not be the cause of our destruction. Especially when manufacturing explosives for the Karumpulikal, he would often tell his fighters, “We should all be Karumpuli. We should make those products with the feeling that we are all Karumpuli. The life of a Karumpuli should not be unjust. The products for them should be accurate.” Raju’s hard work helped greatly in reducing our losses in the war and inflicting heavy damage on the enemy. He never rested until the solutions suggested by the leader were implemented to solve the problems that arose while formulating war plans. Sometimes the solutions suggested by Raju were simple and economical.
1992 was a time of insecurity and some crises. The national leader was of the opinion that in every attack we conduct, we should reduce our own losses and inflict more losses on the enemy and capture a large number of weapons and explosives. At that time, a plan was made to launch an attack on the Palaly front lines. A plan was proposed to enter the camp secretly by sea to easily attack and destroy the enemy’s front lines. But the expected problems in moving weapons by sea were an obstacle to its implementation. The solution proposed by Raju to remove that obstacle helped to implement the plan. The attack ended in a successful operation with low losses. Raju’s invention was used in many subsequent offensive operations.
In those days, Raju was not known to the people he loved or even to most of the fighters. He was only known to a few fighters who could be mentioned. However, he lived among everyone through his actions. In the years following the outbreak of the Second Eelam War, Raju was appointed to be responsible for the formation of a new regiment consisting of several hundred fighters. The national leader wanted to create a highly efficient traditional force. The initial work for this was immense. He had to work hard day and night without any rest.
The first female fighters were included in the Siruthai Brigade. The national leader planned to create a unique special forces unit by making the female fighters aware of their abilities and potential and instilling in them the belief that they could do anything. He paid great attention to formulating training plans and procedures for this. Raju, fully realizing the national leader’s intention, devoted all his energy and effort. Later, when a male unit was formed in the Siruthai Brigade, the burden on Raju doubled.
A fighter recalled how Raju lived with the fighters in the training camp. “We were engaged in rigorous training in the Siruthai Brigade. Our training continued for years without any outside contact. In the beginning, everything was beyond our capabilities. We suffered greatly in everything. What made us even more determined at that time were the actions of Raju. He looked after our basic needs with the care of a father. He showed love and concern for all the fighters. Just seeing Raju train would make us interested in it.”
The energetic Siruthai Brigade developed by Raju was deployed in important missions in the Third Eelam War. It was used as a direct combat unit on the battlefields, and many military infrastructures were established by the Siruthai Brigade fighters. During this period, the engineering department under Raju’s responsibility was mostly expanded. He lived like a burden bearer, bearing more of the burdens of the movement. He continued to develop his knowledge and personality to bear the increasing burdens. A fighter who lived with him for a long time recalls how the man accomplished all the amazing tasks he accomplished now.
“Raju had many unique talents and characteristics. He would not often write down anything to remember. He would somehow imprint everything in that brain. When needed, he could recall everything immediately. If he was going somewhere far, he would sit next to the driver with a book. While he was driving, he would have the person next to him read and listen. Otherwise, it would turn into a lecture hall for the fighters. In difficult times, Raju would sleep for a while going to the vehicle. As soon as the vehicle arrived, he would start his remaining work. He always made it a strict habit to get up early in the morning. He would distribute the work to his custodians in the morning. It was because of such nature that he was able to carry so many burdens”
In fact, he lived like Struggle Stage Yarlpanam. Even after shifting from the peninsula to Vanni, he was able to shoulder additional tasks during the rapid growth period of our movement.
Many modern weapons including artillery and mortars were introduced and strengthened in Vanni battlefield. Raju paved the way for the use of artillery and mortars according to our formations and tactics. It was Raju’s work that led to the formation of our mortar attacks in a way that stunned the enemy during the relentless waves that made the enemy and the world aware of the true strength of the LTTE.
The artillery captured from the Mullai army base paved the way for the formation of our artillery force. However, it was not easy to acquire the technology and expertise to use them skillfully on the battlefield. It did not seem that the enemy would give us a long break. All the responsibilities were left to Raju. “Raju will somehow get it done,” the national leader believed. That is why the national leader waited for the Aanayiravu – Paranthan Utharpu Battle, who was about to take place soon. An artillery commander recalls those days when Raju and his fighters were whirling like a whirlwind.
“For us, we still had two iron hammers in our hands. Because we did not have the knowledge of the artillery at that time. If we did something unknowingly, we could lose them. Or their effectiveness could decrease. We were in a difficult situation. Raju was solving every puzzle on those iron hammers. At some points, we would be paralyzed and unable to move further. Sometimes there would even be a lack of hope. “Raju will find him anyway” was the belief that would sustain everyone. The belief was not in vain. The iron hammers soon turned into artillery in our hands. Raju advanced us to the point where we could overcome everything and deliver accurate blows. As per the national leader’s expectations, the artillery delivered accurate blows during the Aanayiravu – Paranthan engagement.”
The effectiveness of the artillery unit continued to develop increasingly. Unlike a conventional military structure, our formation has unique features. Our strategies are also unique. Raju succeeded in using our infantry division accordingly. During adverse weather conditions, conventional forces like infantry and motorized vehicles avoided large-scale battles in those times. But Raju had designed our infantry division to be usable even in such conditions. In the battlefield against Jayasikuru, easy victories were achieved in some places through accurate infantry fire. Above all, during the three “Oyatha Alaikal” action, our infantry division, Colonel Kittu Artillery Regiment, displayed its full potential and worked. It was led and directed by Raju himself.
He encouraged the fighters in many tiring stages of the liberation war that continued all fronts and led to rapid victories. He developed our infantry unit to a level where it could provide rapid fire support that could not be imagined by the enemy’s infantry unit in all the critical stages of the field. As a result, we were able to win even in many adverse field conditions. Many fighters were saved. Under the national leader’s new plan, when heavy weapons were integrated in the Paranthan battle and we jumped into a daylight battle, he integrated the infantry as per the national leader’s expectations and paved the way for victory. With this confidence, we were able to win in further operations.
During the historic battle of Ittawi and the battle that defeated the massive “Agnikolala” operation launched by the Sinhalese in the same year, the artillery fire that encouraged the fighters standing on the field, saving their lives and working tirelessly to pave the way for victories is one of the important achievements of our infantry division under the leadership of Raju. The explosives introduced in the battle against the “Agnikolala” operation by the engineering department under Raju scattered the enemy ranks and paved the way for victory.
We were all concerned about protecting our commander on the battlefields who used armed force to pave the way for our easy victory and saved the lives of the fighters. We all realized that if anything happened to Raju, it would be irreparable. But one day, when the war cries had subsided, thunder awaited us. The news came that our commander Raju, who did not know what to do with his illness, was suffering from a terrible disease. The fighters who were raised by him like children and those who knew him were devastated.
The severity of Raju’s illness continued to increase. The results of the surgery confirmed that it was cancer. It had already taken a strong hold on his body. Our beloved Raju was approaching a point of no return. He could not bear to spend his days in bed.
He often told his fighters, “Lying down and eat good food instead of go around in sorrow and do something is note me.” He was busy teaching his fighters something important while lying in bed. Everyone started thinking that he was getting better. But Raju’s stomach kept getting bigger. He had to be put under anesthesia due to unbearable stomach pain. It was decided to send him to another place for treatment.
We all hoped that Colonel Raju, whom we all often call the Iron Man despite his deadly disease, would return to live at least for a while. The flowers that Raju planted to pay tribute to the heroes on the next Maveerar Naal must have thought the same. But on 25.08.2002, everything went wrong.
Thanks: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Magazine (September-October 2002)
(Translation by Tamilpriya)
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