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3 soldiers, 47 rebels killed in Sri Lanka clashes

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Oct 10, IRNA

Sri Lanka-LTTE-Clashes

At least three soldiers and 47 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres were killed in fierce clashes in Sri Lanka's restive northern region, where fighter jets pounded key rebel bases in a series of raids on Friday.

Fighter jets launched four strikes targeting three vital encampments of the LTTE in the rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi, Indian official media reported quoting Lankan Air Force.

The first raid targeted an LTTE communications centre located three kms northeast of Paranthan, Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.

Another two air raids were carried out to target an LTTE leader's hideout located two kms northeast of Kilinochchi, he said.

The fourth air strike targeted a den of LTTE suicide bombers, also known as Black Tigers, located 1.5 kms west of Paranthan.

Nanayakkara said all three targets were effectively engaged.

In ground clashes, troops operating in Akkarayankulam area in Kilinochchi attacked three LTTE bunkers, killing 14 rebels, officials said.

Another two Tamil Tigers were killed when troops attacked a group of rebels elsewhere in the region, the Defence Ministry said.

Four rebels were gunned down by security forces operating in the west of Mankulam area in Kilinochchi after detecting the guerrillas in Pannikkulama, it said.

Troops killed three LTTE cadres in Vannerikulam area, the Defence Ministry said, adding three soldiers also injured in the mortar fire.

Security forces attacked an LTTE bunker in Vedamalikam area in Vavuniya, killing a rebel, the ministry said.

In Andankulam forest area, two Tamil Tigers and two soldiers were killed in clashes, it said, adding troops engaged in the mine sweeping operation found 99 anti-personnel mines and three IEDs in the area.

Another rebel was shot dead in the Jaffna theatre by the troops.

At least two guerrillas were killed in a separate incident in Akkarayankulam in Kilinochchi after troops attacked a rebel bunker on Thursday, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said.

Separately, security forces killed three LTTE cadres in Vannirkkulam and four others in Akkarayanakulam in Kilinochchi on Thursday, it said.

In Vavuniya region, troops killed six Tamil Tigers in Pannikankulam and one each in Wedamkulam and Nallikulam during clashes on Thursday, the MCNS said.

In another incident at Andankulam in northeastern Welioya, troops on Thursday killed three LTTE cadres and lost one of their soldiers in the incident.

Meanwhile, two civilians succumbed to injuries sustained during Thursday's unsuccessful assassination attempt on Cabinet Minister Maithreepla Sirisena by a female LTTE suicide bomber near Colombo, officials said.