clashes in Lanka
In an ongoing conflict between the security forces and the Tamil Tigers, at least 41 LTTE cadres and five soldiers were killed in running gun battles in Sri Lanka’s embattled Northen region on Saturday.
While two LTTE cadres were shot dead in Mankulam in Kilinochchi, two others were killed in Akkarayankulam and one in another part of the LTTE stronghold on Friday, the military said.
Separately, troops killed seven Tiger rebels, wounding 37 others in a gun battle in Mullaittivu, while in North East Welioya region six rebels were killed and 14 others injured in Andankulam on Friday, the Defence Ministry said.
At least one Tiger militant was also killed in Thannikuruppukulam area in the region on Friday, it said.
Meanwhile, two soldiers were also killed during clashes in Andankulam, with the troops recovering 313 anti-personnel mines and 17 improvised explosive devices after the operation.
In another confrontation, as many as 14 Tiger rebels were killed and six others injured in Vannerikulam area in Kilinochchi on Friday, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said, adding three soldiers also lost their lives in the incident.
Separately, security forces killed an LTTE cadre during a confronation in Vannerikulam, it said.
Besides, two Tiger rebels were shot down by troops in Navatkulam of Vavuniya region last afternoon, the MCNS said.
In clashes at Jaffna, security forces killed six LTTE cadres in two different confrontations in Nagarkovil and Muhamale on Friday, the military said.
Three Army soldiers also were wounded in an LTTE mortar attack in the same area last evening.
Meanwhile an Army soldier was also wounded in a mine explosion in the Muhamalai area last afternoon, it said.
