Chief of Sri Lankan Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka warned India that the LTTE could attack Southern India`s economic and civilian targets in aerial strikes.
Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka remarks his comment in an interview having with the Indian News paper today (24).
The Indian government has made it clear that it would not interfere in Sri Lanka`s internal affairs, reiterated that the LTTE is a banned organisation in India, and has only sought assurance for Tamil civilians` safety from the Sri Lankan government.
Sri Lankan Army Chief told the LTTE`s air wing - though its strength has now got depleted following the downing of two of its planes during the recent air attack on Colombo - still has the capability to attack targets in India.
The LTTE and their sympathisers in South India are angry that the Indian government is no longer toeing the LTTE line it is now only talking about the plight of the civilians,` Fonseka was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
They are capable of flying all the way from the north-east of Sri Lanka, attack targets in Colombo (more than 250 km one way) and fly back. They can do the same in India,` he added.
The threat to India seems credible as the Tigers were able to launch an air attack on Colombo even though all their seven airfields have been captured by the Sri Lankan Army in the ongoing offensive.
The Army Chief stated that the rebels` low-flying aircraft, which are difficult to detect, could easily carry out attacks more than 150-170 km inside India.
And if they are on a suicide mission, the aircraft could fly deeper and not come back at all,` he warned.
Asked whether targeting India would be of any use to the LTTE, especially in the wake of heightened criticism for allegedly not letting thousands of displaced Tamil civilians escape the warzone, Fonseka said: `The LTTE had the audacity or were stupid enough to assassinate Rajiv Gandhi on Indian soil. They do not believe in peace or talks. Now they are just confined to around 35 sq km on the main land and some 20 sq km of beach area in Mullaitivu. They are desperate.`
With regard to the whereabouts of LTTE chief V Prabhakaran, the Army Chief believes he is still hiding in Mullaitivu.
Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka remarks his comment in an interview having with the Indian News paper today (24).
The Indian government has made it clear that it would not interfere in Sri Lanka`s internal affairs, reiterated that the LTTE is a banned organisation in India, and has only sought assurance for Tamil civilians` safety from the Sri Lankan government.
Sri Lankan Army Chief told the LTTE`s air wing - though its strength has now got depleted following the downing of two of its planes during the recent air attack on Colombo - still has the capability to attack targets in India.
The LTTE and their sympathisers in South India are angry that the Indian government is no longer toeing the LTTE line it is now only talking about the plight of the civilians,` Fonseka was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
They are capable of flying all the way from the north-east of Sri Lanka, attack targets in Colombo (more than 250 km one way) and fly back. They can do the same in India,` he added.
The threat to India seems credible as the Tigers were able to launch an air attack on Colombo even though all their seven airfields have been captured by the Sri Lankan Army in the ongoing offensive.
The Army Chief stated that the rebels` low-flying aircraft, which are difficult to detect, could easily carry out attacks more than 150-170 km inside India.
And if they are on a suicide mission, the aircraft could fly deeper and not come back at all,` he warned.
Asked whether targeting India would be of any use to the LTTE, especially in the wake of heightened criticism for allegedly not letting thousands of displaced Tamil civilians escape the warzone, Fonseka said: `The LTTE had the audacity or were stupid enough to assassinate Rajiv Gandhi on Indian soil. They do not believe in peace or talks. Now they are just confined to around 35 sq km on the main land and some 20 sq km of beach area in Mullaitivu. They are desperate.`
With regard to the whereabouts of LTTE chief V Prabhakaran, the Army Chief believes he is still hiding in Mullaitivu.
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