25 LTTE rebels killed in Lanka clashes: Army

T V Sriram

Colombo, Sept 8 (PTI) At least 25 Tamil Tigers were
killed in intense clashes with security personnel as
government fighter jets launched strikes in the rebel
stronghold of Kilinochchi, officials said Monday.

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jet planes carried out
three different air strikes on Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (L.T.T.E.) gathering points in Nachchikuda North area in
Kilinochchi Monday afternoon. They were providing cover to the
advancing Lankan army units.

The air strikes were launched in support of the
advancing 58 Division troops in the Kilinochchi battle front,
according to officials.

While two L.T.T.E. cadres were shot dead in
Nachchikuda Sunday, four rebels were gunned down in
Vannarikulam in the region Sunday, the military said.

In a separate incident, security forces personnel
killed four Tiger militants in Pariyanmadu area in Kilinochchi
on Sunday, the Media Centre for National Security (M.C.N.S.)
said. One rebel was also killed in Pariyanmadu Sunday evening,
it added.

At least one L.T.T.E. cadre was killed another wounded
in Andankulam area in North-East Welioya Sunday, the military
said. In another confrontation with the Tamil Tigers,
government troops killed four of its cadres attacking a line
of bunkers in Andankulam Sunday, it said. Two army soldiers
also suffered injuries during the incident, the M.C.N.S. said.

At least three L.T.T.E. militants were killed in
different incidents at Kiriibbanwewa North in Welioya
Sunday, the Defence Ministry said.

Meanwhile, troops engaged in mine clearing operations
in the area removed 132 Anti-personnel mines and 15 Improvised
Explosive Devices, it said.

Three L.T.T.E. activists were wounded in the same area
Sunday morning during clashes with security forces, the
M.C.N.S. said. In Vavuniya, clashes in Palamodei area led to
the death of two L.T.T.E. militants, the army said adding
another rebel was gunned down in a separate incident when the
troops attacked two L.T.T.E. lines of trenches in the area
Sunday.

Meanwhile, army personnel killed two L.T.T.E.
activists during a confrontation in Palamodei North Sunday,
the M.C.N.S. said adding one security forces personnel was
also injured in another incident in the area.

Meanwhile, troops operating in the general area of
Navatkulam in Vavuniya Monday shot dead one L.T.T.E. activist
moving to an L.T.T.E. bunker from the northern side to the
south, the army said in a statement.