Fierce clashes between the Tamil Tigers and government troops, who are seeking to dislodge the rebels from its last stronghold in embattled northeastern Sri Lanka, killed at least 33 guerrillas, officials said on Saturday.
A senior Sea Tiger leader was among the 33 LTTE rebels killed in clashes with the army advancing to seize the remaining rebel pockets as 1,200 displaced civilians crossed over into military-controlled areas in Mullaitivu district’s Pudukudiyirippu, the officials said.
They were killed near Pudukudiyirippu, where fierce battles between government troops and the rebels have been raging for several weeks, said military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara.
In subsequent search operations, the army recovered 5 bodies of LTTE fighters along with military items left behind by the fleeing militants, the defence ministry said.
Meanwhile, as many as 1,200 displaced Internally Displaced (IDPs) persons crossed over to the army-controled areas in Pudukudiyirippu yesterday, the military said.
Troops of the 55 Division recovered bodies of 4 Tamil Tiger rebels, including the body of ‘Sindu´, a senior ‘Sea Tiger´, it said.
This was subsequent to heavy confrontations that ensued with the LTTE on Frirday in Pudukudiyirippu, Northern Mullaittivu battlefront, in which 28 Tamil Tiges were killed, the military said.
This was subsequent to heavy confrontations that ensued with the LTTE on Frirday in Pudukudiyirippu, Northern Mullaittivu battlefront, in which 28 Tamil Tiges were killed, the military said.