 A ground battle between Sri Lanka's navy and separatist Tamil Tiger rebels left three insurgents dead on Saturday, military said. Fighting broke out when a group of sailors on a foot patrol confronted guerrillas in Kuchchaveli village near the eastern port town of Trincomalee, an official at the Defense Ministry's information center said. Troops recovered three rebel bodies along with rifles, bombs and detonators, the official said on condition of anonymity, in line with policy. Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan could not be reached for comment. |