Black Tigers or Karumpuligal (கரும்புலிகள்) were the suicide squad of LTTE.
During the SL Civil War Black Tigers were the most feared unit. At their peak they were capable of launching suicide attacks in any part of Sri Lanka penetrating all levels of security.
Unlike the popular belief that LTTE used suicide bombers only in civilian areas Black Tigers carried most of their attacks on Army and Navy targets.
To be precise most of the suicide attacks were carried out by Sea Black Tigers on SL Navy. Their highly successful sucide attacks on sea made Sea Tigers most effective non-State Navy in the World.
Image: Sea Black Tigers(L) with regular Sea Tigers(R) during a parade.
OBJECTIVE
One serious issue which LTTE faced throughout the Civil War was that they were severely outnumbered.
So the main objective of forming Black Tiger Unit in mid 1980s was to inflict heavy casualties on Government forces with minimum casualties on LTTE's side. Also giving LTTE a psychological advantage.
Black Tiger commandos had played a vital role in rescuing LTTE during tough war situations. Whenever the balance of power shifts away from LTTE, Black Tigers had pull out stunning victories to bring back LTTE to a commanding position.
They had brought several turning points during the Sri Lankan Civil War.
- During Operation Liberation (1987) LTTE's first ever suicide attack on Army base considerably slowed down Sri Lankan Army's brutal attacks on LTTE controlled areas.
- During Eelam War 3 even after facing continues defeats on the hands of LTTE Sri Lankan Government refused to come to the negotiation table. Black Tiger raid on Bandaranaike Airport Raid in 2001 forced Government to come to the negotiation table with LTTE on a commanding position.
Black Tiger Commandos Vs Leopard Commandos
Image: LTTE's elite Leapord Commandos or Siruthai padai.
LTTE had two commando units for precise military operations. While both have trained for important missions but Black Tigers had carried out most of LTTE's high risk missions. Whenever required both these units were also seen working together. Eg.Second Battle of Elephant pass 2000.
TARGETS
They launched suicide attacks on :
- Economic and political targets.
- Military targets on battlefield.
- Navy ships and boats on high sea waves.
Divisions
- Regular black tigers who used to carry out suicide attacks on land targets including Army bases.
- Sea black tigers who launched attacks on Navy.
- Air black tigers who launched attacks through air.
IMPORTANT LEADERSHIP:
Black Tigers were under the direct control of LTTE's intelligence Wing TOSIS(Tigers Organization Security Intelligence Service).
Pottu Amman
He remained the chief of both TOSIS and Black Tigers wing from 1988 to 2009. He was part of planning of almost every major black tiger attacks. He was killed on the final day of the Civil War. His dead body was never found so there are many people who believes that he is still alive.
Kapil Amman
Kapil Amman was deputy chief of TOSIS and right hand of Pottu Amman. He was the main person behind the planning of all type of Black Tiger Operation both inside and outside the battlefield. He was also killed on the final day of the Civil War on 18th May 2009.
Charles
Charles was the first chief of LTTE's newly found Military Intelligence Unit(2004). He was field commander of Black Tigers. He used to personally survive the target area and gather information to plan the whole Operation accurately.
He led most of the highly successful suicide attacks inside the Government controlled areas. He was assassinated in January 2008.
Madhavan Master
Image: Madhavan Master
Madhavan had worked under Col.Charles. He was involved in training intelligence operatives, spies, black tigers, providing hi-tech communication equipments,etc. He was considered as the head of LTTE's internal Intelligence unit.
He was killed in the final days of the Civil War.
Rathnam Master
Rathnam Master had also worked under Col.Charles. After the death of Charles he become chief of LTTE's military Intelligence unit. When LTTE's Northern frontier Commander Theepan was killed in April 2009 he become deputy chief of military.
He was killed during the final days of the Civil war.
BLACK TIGER ATTACKS:
FIRST BLACK TIGER ATTACK 1987
Image: Captain Miller first Black Tiger.
In 1987 Sri Lankan Army launched Operation Liberation to expel LTTE guerillas from Jaffna then stronghold(capital) of LTTE. SL Air-Force regularly raided LTTE controlled areas.
To counter this LTTE came up with a new strategy. Black Tigers were already born. At that time no one anticipated that these Black Tigers were going to be the most successful suicide squad in the World.
To destroy the confidence of highly motivated Sri Lankan politicians and soldiers LTTE decided to attack an army base at Nelliyadi . After capturing the area from LTTE hundreds of soldiers were deployed inside the College complex.
It was decided that first Black Tigers Captain Miller had to attack the complex with a small explosive truck on the morning of 5th July 1987.
Image: Nelliyadi Central College where the first Black Tiger Attack took place .
Soosai who later become Sea Tiger chief was given the task of clearing the way for Miller. On the said night Soosai led a LTTE guerilla team and launched attack on the soldiers guarding the complex. Once the way was cleared within few minutes around 7pm Cap Miller drove his explosive laden truck inside the complex and rammed it into the base. The huge explosion killed more than 50 soldiers immediately. Soon after that other LTTE commanders who were waiting there to attack the complex penetrated inside and attacked the already surprised and confused soldiers. The base was recaptured by LTTE.
Later every year this day was observed as Black Tiger Day.
First female Black Tiger
On 10th August 1994 Angayarkanni become the first female Black Tiger. She single handedly sunk a Navy Surveillance Command Centre Ship.
First Indian Black Tiger
Image: Sengannan, First Indian Black Tiger
Sengannan(Dhanushkodi Senthurapandian) a native of Satthur, Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu(India) become the first Black Tiger from India. He was part of the Black Tiger team which raided the Ponneryn base on 11th November 1993 during the Battle of Ponneryn(1993).
NOTABLE ATTACKS:
1)Assassination of SL President (1993)
On 1st May 1993 a Black Tiger suicide attack killed incumbent Sri Lankan President Premadasa.
2)Central Bank Bombing (1996)
Image: A portion of the building destroyed by the attack.
While bomb blasts were very common during Civil War but at that time no one expected that LTTE could launch attack on such a highly secured building. The Central Bank was the control centre of the whole business of Sri Lanka.
A black Tiger drove a explosive laden truck and rammed it into the main building. He was followed by a backup team in three wheeler armed with assault rifles and RPGs. These gunmen exchanged fires with the security men and made way for the main suicide bomber to enter the Bank premises.
Nearly 90+ people were killed and many more injured. This attack and other following attacks on Government controlled areas made sure the tourism industry saw a drop of 40%.
3)Bandaranaike Airport Raid (2001)
On 24th July 2001 a team of Black Tigers raided Sri Lanka's only International Airport Bandaranaike Airport and adjacent Air-Force Base.
Black Tigers crawled through a narrow canal meant for driving out rain water. Then they blasted the power supply and turned the whole area dark. They were divided into 3 teams. One team attacked the Air Base , another team attacked the Aircrafts stationed at the airport. A small team captured the control tower and used it as a vantage point and provided cover firing to other teams.
The Aviation industry was grounded and the Airport was closed for 14 hours. The economy growth of Sri Lanka dropped to -1.5%. Tourism also saw a drop of 15.5%. The total cost to replace the Civilian Aircrafts were estimated US$350 Million.
Black Tigers displayed their high level of discipline as there was no civilian casualties.
At the end 14 Black Tigers were killed but the real numbers were unknown. It was believed that some black tigers disappeared into the nearby civilian areas and safely returned to the North.
4)Digampathana Truck Bombing (2006)
In October 2006 a Black Tiger rammed an explosive truck into the Navy bus convoy. More than 100 Sri Lankan Sailors were killed . It was the deadliest suicide attack of the Sri Lankan Civil War.
5)Anuradhapura Air Force Base Raid (2007)
Image: Black Tigers on a rock before the attack
On 22nd October 2007 a team of 21 Black Tigers raided the Anuradhapuram Air-Force Base. They were supported by Air-Tigers' Light Aircrafts which dropped bombs on the base. At the end of the raid more than 20 Aircrafts were either destroyed or damaged.
B. Raman, a retired Additional Secretary of India, released a statement about the precise raid "had been preceded by painstaking intelligence collection, planning and rehearsal."
CASUALTIES
Until last Black Tiger Day July (2008) 400+ Black Tigers had sacrificed their life.
Even during the final phase of the Civil War several Black Tigers launched suicide attacks most of them were never recorded.
RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING
Voluntary
Anti-LTTE people always say that Black Tigers were brainwashed by LTTE. But the truth was far from that.
Regular LTTE cadres who wanted to become Black Tiger Unit had to send application to LTTE chief Prabhakaran. They were selected based on some criteria:
- Combat experience. Eg.The type of military operations he/she took part.
- Family situation. Eg. If a cadre was the only son/daughter in a family his or her application was rejected.
Training
Image: Black Tigers during a training session.
Once a cadre was selected for the elite Unit his identity was highly secured. Even his family members and close friends were kept in dark. When it was time for training the selected cadres were sent on long leave. They were then taken to secret Black Tiger base where they got tough military trainings. Then they rejoin regular duty until they were required to launch the attack.
Last visit
Before the attack date all the involved Black Tigers were allowed to visit their home one last time. After spending few days with their family and close friends they return back to their base.
Last supper
Image: Black Tigers having dinner with the LTTE chief.
Black Tigers before leaving for their mission had the privilege to had their last supper with LTTE chief Prabhakaran. After that they were allowed to take individual and group photos with the LTTE chief.
Aftermath:
Next day LTTE used to display the images of the fallen Black Tigers in public and carry it through the street similar to usual funeral procession. Later civilians and LTTE cadres gathers to pay last respect to the fallen black tigers.
Images : Hundreds of civilians gathered to pay last respect to 21 Black Tigers who fell during the Raid on Anuradhapuram Air base on 22nd Oct 2007.
The identification of the Black Tigers were revealed only after they become martyr during an operation. If a Black Tiger survived the attack his/her identification was never revealed. They were asked to rejoin their respective combat teams or brigades and lead a usual life of a regular LTTE fighters . If required these surviving Black Tigers used to be recalled for another operation(s).
BLACK TIGER DAY
Image: LTTE chief(L) paying homage to fallen black tigers.
Every year LTTE observed Black Tigers Day on 5th July tthe day when first Black Tiger Cap.Miller become martyr. On this day parents and other family members of fallen Black Tiger cadres were felicitated.
Black Tigers were the most respected Unit in LTTE.
While the outside World saw them as suicide bombers Tamil Eelam supporters considers Black Tigers as suicide warriors who sacrificed their present to secure the future of their next generation.
LTTE also avoided using the term “suicide” while speaking about Black Tigers and used a different term “thatkodaai” means “self gifting” sacrificing(gifting) self for the Eelam struggle.
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