DATE=09/28/00
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
INTERNET=
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Heavy fighting has gripped Sri Lanka's northern Jaffna peninsula. The government says it has lost at least 29 soldiers, while 80 Tamil Tiger rebels have been killed. A rebel radio station refutes that report, claiming hundreds of government troops have died in the fighting. Vandana Chopra has more on the conflicting reports from Colombo.
TEXT: Ferocious battles gripped Sri Lanka's north as Tamil Tiger rebels launched
a major counterattack in response to a fresh military offensive that left
heavy casualties on both sides.
A Sri Lankan military spokesperson says the army has retreated in some places. He called the withdrawal a "tactical adjustment", explaining that the troops are fighting to regain lost ground.
In a statement from its London headquarters Tiger rebels say their combat
formations supported by heavy artillery and mortar fire launched an
operation code-named "Unceasing Waves Four".
The rebels say the attack occurred 20 kilometers from the strategic Elephant
Pass camp and Tiger commando units overran hundreds of army defenses and
several mini camps.
The statement added that the guerillas advanced three kilometers and were
poised to attack a military complex at the town of Eluthmaddvul and a key naval base at Kilali.
Defense ministry sources say heavy fighting is continuing at Kilali and
Nagarkovil, east of Jaffna peninsula and Eluthmaddvul, the army's southern
most position in the peninsula.
Rebel guerillas say their units also cut off a vital supply route to an
army base at Nagarkovil in the Jaffna peninsula.
Heavy fighting began when the army launched a brief
offensive this week aimed at opening a new supply route to Chavakacheri, the second
biggest town in the northern Jaffna region. Soon afterwards the Tiger
guerillas launched fierce counterattacks.
The military's losses are its first reversal since the government offensive
started on September third, a day before election campaigning began.
The separatists have been fighting for a separate homeland for the minority
Tamils in Sri Lanka's north and east since 1983. (SIGNED)
NEB/VC/PFH
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