Sri Lankan troops have killed 28 Tamil Tiger rebels in a series of clashes in the island’s north in 24 hours, the military said on Thursday, amid near daily clashes as renewed civil war deepens. Four rebels were killed in two clashes in the northern Jaffna peninsula on Thursday morning, while 24 were killed in three confrontations in the northern districts of Mannar, Vavuniya and and Jaffna on Wednesday, the military said. “Troops went forward and attacked two bunkers in Kilali (on the Jaffna peninsula). Two Tigers were killed and two soldiers were injured,” said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara.
“Also in Nagarkovil in Jaffna troops observed two Tigers coming towards the forward defence line and opened fire, killing them,” he added. “On Wednesday, 24 were killed.” The Tigers were not immediately available for comment, but nearly always dismiss death toll figures given by the military. There was no independent confirmation of the death toll or what really happened.