Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam #CR0001037 (Also... Some alternate names are aliases, other are names for specific subgroups or cells). Tigers Tamil Tigers Source: EuroTer, CIA, Interpol Type: Political terrorist organization Scope: Frequent acts of terrorism and assassination throughout India and Sri Lanka. Affiliations: The LTTE's overt organizations support Tamil separatism by lobbying foreign governments and the United Nations. The LTTE also uses its international contacts to procure weapons, communications, and bomb-making equipment. The LTTE exploits large Tamil communities in North America, Europe, and Asia to obtain funds and supplies for its fighters in Sri Lanka [Interpol]. Information obtained since the mid-1980s indicates that some Tamil communities in Europe are also involved in narcotics smuggling. Tamils historically have served as drug couriers moving narcotics into Europe. [EuroTer] Personnel: Approximately 10,000 armed combatants in Sri Lanka. [EuroTer] Operating Since: 1972 Structure: Military style hierarchy. Units range in size from a single squad (5) to a full company size (120), all overseen by higher ranking members. [CIA] Leaders: Vellupillai Prabhakaran [#LL4194467] leader, Anton Balasingam [#LL4791210] spokesman. Legitimate Connections: Known front organizations, and links with the World Tamil Association, World Tamil Movement, Federation of Associations of Canadian Tamils, and the lesser known Ellalan Force. Resources: High quality military firearms, explosives and equipment mostly from the former Soviet Union. Excellent black market and good intelligence connections. Most funding through illegal methods. [CIA] Suspected Criminal Activity: Political assassinations have become commonplace and culminated in May 1993 with the fatal bombing of President Ranasinghe Premadasa. Other key figures assassinated since 1990 include moderate Tamil leader A. Amirthalingam (1990), Cabinet Minister Ranjan Wijeratne (1990), former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi (1991), Army General Denzil Kobbakaduwa (1992), Navy Chief Vice Admiral Clancy Fernando (1992), and opposition party leader Lalith Athulathmudali. The LTTE has refrained from targeting Western tourists out of fear that foreign governments would crack down on Tamil expatriates involved in fundraising activities abroad. Additional Commentary: Founded in 1976, the LTTE is the most powerful group in Sri Lanka and uses overt and illegal methods to raise funds, acquire weapons, and publicize its cause of establishing an independent Tamil state. The LTTE began its armed conflict with the Sri Lankan government in 1983 and relies on a guerrilla strategy that includes the use of terrorist tactics. The Tigers have integrated a battlefield insurgent strategy with a terrorist program that targets not only key personnel in the countryside but also senior Sri Lankan political and military leaders in Colombo. The Tigers control most of the northern and eastern coastal areas of Sri Lanka but have conducted operations throughout the island. Headquartered in the Jaffna peninsula, LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran has established an extensive network of checkpoints and informants to keep track of any "outsiders" who enter the group's area of control. The LTTE prefers to attack vulnerable government facilities, then withdraw before reinforcements arrive.
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