‘Cormorant Strike X - 2019’ mock operation liberates civilian hostages from terrorist custody
September 13, 2019Tri Forces troops launched a successful operation to free a group of Tourist Board officials held captive by a band of terrorists in a remote location along the Dambulla - Kurunegala main road during the ongoing ‘Cormorant Strike X - 2019’, Field Training Exercise (FTX) on Thursday (12 September). Raiding the terrorist hideout in an islet in the Ibbankatuwa Reservoir, troops rescued the captives unharmed in a daring ‘operation’.
The mock operation involved troops of the 3 Commando Regiment, Sri Lanka Navy’s 4R Life-saving Unit, and an MI 17 Helicopter of the Sri Lanka Air Force. These troops skilled in Halo Casting and Combat Diving techniques managed to reach the enemy hideout in a covert operation and retrieved the hostages, gunning down all six terrorists including the leader in the ensuing confrontation.
Later the rescued state officials were airlifted to Vavuniya.
This mock operation, carried out under the ‘Cormorant Strike X- 2019’ Exercise is currently underway based in the Eastern and surrounding regions.
The Exercise organized by the Sri Lanka Army for the 10th consecutive time involves a combined Tri Forces participation of 2400 Army, 400 Navy and 200 Air Force personnel. Over 100 foreign military participants are also taking part in the exercise maneuvers, as representatives and observers.
The Exercise is being conducted covering the Eastern, Central, Western and North Central Provinces.
It is scheduled to conclude with the ‘Critical Engagement’ on 23rd (September) at Kuchchuveli in the Eastern Province which will be followed by the Exercise de-brief, the following day (24).
