| 58 Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 2008–present |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Branch | Sri Lanka Army |
| Type | Division (military) |
| Role | Close-quarters combat Combined arms Counterinsurgency Forward observer Jungle warfare Maneuver warfare Raiding Reconnaissance Urban warfare |
| Size | 20,000+ troops |
| Part of | I Corps |
| Engagements | Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Major General WTWG Ihalage |
The 58 Division is a division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.[1][2] The Special Forces Brigade has been attached to the division.
Current formation
- 58-1 Brigade
- 58-2 Brigade
- 58-3 Brigade
Sri Lankan Civil War
Operations
The Division recaptured the strategically important Pooneryn salient and played a major role in the recapture of the Kilinochchi in the Battle of Kilinochchi and the strategically important Elephant Pass the Gateway to Jaffna.
On 15 January, 58 Division gained total control over Dharmapuram, in Kilinochchi District, a key LTTE stronghold located along the A-35 Paranthan – Mullaittivu main road. Troops cleared the area of LTTE fighters.[3]
On 28 January, troops from the 58th Division gained control of Vishwamadu town, located south-east of Dharmapuram on the A-35 main road.[4]
On 29 March to 5 April 2009 Battle of Aanandapuram which was a land battle fought between the 58 Division, 53 Division and Task Force 8 and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the control of the last stronghold held by the LTTE.
Towns captured by 58 Division
| # | Area Liberated[5] | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adampan town | 9 May 2008 |
| 2 | Mullikkandal, Minnaniranchan and Marattikannaddi Villages | 24 June 2008 |
| 3 | "The Mannar Rice Bowl": Alankulama, Andankulama, Alakaddiveli, Parappakandal, Parappukadatan, Papamoddai, Odupallam, Neduvarampu, Kannaputtukulama and Vannakulama Villages |
29 June 2008 |
| 4 | Linked up with 57 Division – south west of Periyamadhu | 30 June 2008 |
| 5 | Vidattaltivu Town | 16 July 2008 |
| 6 | Illuppaikkadavai Town | 2 August 2008 |
| 7 | Vellankulam Town, Mulankavil and Pallavarayankaddu areas | 12 August 2008 |
| 8 | Nachchikudha | 21 August 2008 |
| 9 | Maniyankulama | 16 October 2008 |
| 10 | Vannerikkulama | 20 October 2008 |
| 11 | Nochchimodai | 28 October 2008 |
| 12 | Jeyapuram and Nachchikuda | 29 October 2008 |
| 13 | Kiranchi | 10 November 2008 |
| 14 | Devil's Point and Vallaipadu | 13 November 2008 |
| 15 | Pooneryn | 15 November 2008 |
| 16 | Sinna-Paranthan | 23 December 2008 |
| 17 | Nalanawakulam Village | 26 December 2008 |
| 18 | Paranthan | 1 January 2009 |
| 19 | Killinochchi town | 2 January 2009 |
| 20 | Murasumoddai | 8 January 2009 |
| 21 | Dharmapuram | 15 January 2009 |
| 22 | Visuamadu Town | 28 January 2009 |
| 23 | Thevipuram | 20 February 2009 |
| 24 | Iranapalai Junction | 17 March 2009 |
| 25 | Pachchapulmuddai | 1 April 2009 |
| 26 | Puthukkudiyiruppu | 5 April 2009 |
References
- ↑ Task Force I elevated to a permanent Division Archived 7 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Dailynews
- ↑ Mop up operations in progress in Pooneryn salient; Air Force comes to troops assistance Archived 1 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Troops crush LTTE resistances, liberate Dharmapuram- Kilinochchi". Archived from the original on 19 January 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
- ↑ Troops Enter Visuamadu Smashing Enemy Defences
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 February 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)