27 killed in Lanka clashes, Air Force targets LTTE base

T. V. Sriram

Colombo, Sep 20 (PTI) At least 26 Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam (L.T.T.E.) cadres and a soldier were killed amidst
attacks by Sri Lankan air force in the rebel stronghold of
embattled northern region, officials said on Saturday.

Air force MI-24 helicopter gun-ships launched effective
air assaults at two Tamil tiger strongholds located 3km
northwest of Vannerikkulama in Kilinochchi, Friday, the
Defence ministry said.

Meanwhile, Air Force personnel engaged in search
operations in general area of Kandalkadu in eastern
Trincomalee have reportedly uncovered a haul of arms and
ammunition on Friday, the ministry said.

In ground clashes, security forces killed at least three
L.T.T.E. militants besides injuring 22 others in a
confrontation in Andankulam area in North-east Welioya on
Friday, the Media Centre for National Security (M.C.N.S.)
said.

One army soldier lost his life during the incident due to
L.T.T.E. mortar attacks and booby trap explosions, it said.

At least two security forces personnel sustained injuries
in anti-personnel mine explosions in Karyalamodei and
Panikkanmadu in the rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi on Friday,
the military added.

In another encounter, at least nine tiger rebels were
killed and two soldiers wounded in action in Panikkanmadu, on
Friday, the M.C.N.S. said.

The M.C.N.S. said two L.T.T.E. cadres were gunned down in
a confrontation in Navatkulam area in Vavuniya Friday.

Two tiger militants were also shot dead in a clash in
Puvarasankulam area yesterday morning, the military said.

As many as nine L.T.T.E. rebels were killed and eight
others wounded by the troops in a confrontation in Palamodei
in Vavuniya Friday, the M.C.N.S. said.

One tiger rebel was killed in a separate confrontation in
Kilaly in Jaffna Friday, it added.