16 rebels killed in clashes in North Lanka, blast in Colombo

Colombo, Sept 29 (PTI) At least 16 L.T.T.E. cadres and
two soldiers were killed Monday in fierce clashes in the
embattled northern Sri Lanka, as a minor bomb exploded in the
capital's commercial hub caused panic among people.

"A minor explosion occurred in a public car park down
the Malwatta road in Colombo fort at around 1230 pm (local
time) Monday", the Defence Ministry said.

Hospital sources said two people including a woman
have been admitted to the general hospital in Colombo.

According to the initial reports six vehicles have
been damaged and the Army and Police have cordoned off the
area for investigations.

In restive north, Sri Lankan MI 24 helicopters pounded
the L.T.T.E. bunker line at Vannerikulam as fighting between
the tigers and government forces intensifies for the control
of Kilinochchi.

The air strikes were in support of ground troops who
are now advancing towards the town said to be headquarters of
the rebels, the Media Centre for National Security (M.C.N.S.)
said.

Troops killed four tiger rebels in fierce encounter in
general areas of Navatkulam and North of Palamoddai in
Vavuniya Sunday, the ministry said adding troops recovered a
T-56 weapon and two hand grenades from the spot.

Two soldiers were also injured in the battle and
admitted to hospital, it said.

Meanwhile, one of the three soldiers injured in a
L.T.T.E. suicide explosion in Vavuniya town Sunday succumbed
to his injuries.

Separately, troops of 57 division, who are
spearheading the offensive on the tiger-held town, captured a
4 k.m. area along the Akkarayankulam-Murikkandy road in
Kilinochchi Sunday, the army said, adding seven L.T.T.E.
cadres were killed in the battle.

One soldier also lost his life while three others
sustained injuries in the incident.

In Ampara in eastern Sri Lanka, troops were involved
in firing when suspected L.T.T.E. occupants of a boat lobbed
grenades when asked to get out of it this morning.

The counter-fire from Special Task Force (S.T.F.)
resulted in damages to the L.T.T.E. boat simultaneously and it
exploded emitting a huge pall of smoke.

During the subsequent search, S.T.F. troops found two
bodies of slain L.T.T.E. cadres, along with one T-56 rifle,
two hand grenades, one claymore mine, one radio antenna, ammo,
L.T.T.E. uniforms, explosives and other military gear, the
ministry said.

At least six L.T.T.E. cadres were killed and 13 others
injured when the security forces personnel attacked rebel
hideouts in the North-eastern Welioya yesterday, the army
said.

In another incident, troops patrolling in the
Makiyapiddi area in the Jaffna peninsula observed three
L.T.T.E. cadres clad in Army uniforms.


"When troops asked the suspects who were loitering
near a Hindu temple to identify themselves, the suspects
lobbed two hand grenades at troops and escaped," the Defence
Ministry said.

During the search operations troops found two hand
grenades, three sets of Army combat uniforms, and a grenade
launcher with one round.

In another confrontation at Ponnar area of Jaffna,
troops killed one tiger rebel in a confrontation Sunday, the
M.C.N.S. said.