At least 27 Tamil Tigers and two soldiers were killed in fresh fighting between the rebels and government troops across the embattled northern Sri Lanka, the military said on Wednesday. One civilian and a person trying to snatch a weapon from air force personnel were also killed in separate incidents in the East.
Troops killed three Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels in Ampaddankulam in Vavuniya front Tuesday, the Defence Ministry said adding, one soldier also lost his life in the incident.
During a subsequent search operation, troops also recovered a T-56 assault rifle and 25 AP mine fuses, security sources said.
At least 17 Tamil Tigers were killed and 15 others injured in Vavuniya on Tuesday in a spate of clashes in Periyamadu, Palamoddai, Navvi and Ampaddankulama.
During intense fighting on the Welioya battle front in north-eastern Sri Lanka, seven LTTE rebels and a soldier were killed and 20 soldiers sustained injuries yesterday, the Ministry said. Among the 20 were five security personnel who were wounded in mine explosions.
Troops captured seven LTTE bunkers during an operation launched in Kokkuthduvai area on Tuesday.
There was no immediate word from the rebel LTTE on the latest violence.