61 killed in intense Sri Lanka clashes

At least 58 Tamil Tigers and a security personnel were killed in fierce clashes in the embattled northern Sri Lanka as Air Force jets pounded and destroyed an LTTE secret meeting place in the rebel stronghold of Mullaittiuvu, officials here said on Wednesday.

Bullet-ridden bodies of two civilians were found in North-central part of the country.

At least 13 LTTE militants were killed on Wednesday in intense fighting between rebels and security forces at Kalliadanchan, about 1.5 kms North of Giant's Tank northern bund in Mannar front, the Defence Ministry said.

Air Force fighter jets targeted a secret meeting place of LTTE kingpins located in the West of Visuamadu Kulam in Mullaittiuvu in the morning.

According to Air Force Spokesperson Wing Commander Andrew Wijesooriya, the fighter pilots have confirmed the target was accurately hit.

A soldier also lost his life and 12 others injured in the confrontations, the ministry said.

In deadly clashes with the army, at least 18 LTTE cadres were killed in Padeirkulam area in Vavuniya on Tuesday in two separate incidents, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said.

While six LTTE militants were killed in Nagarkovil in Jaffna on Tuesday, five rebels were shot dead in Marathamadu in Vavuniya, the MCNS said.

As many as 12 LTTE cadres were gunned down in sulaina Marthamadu in Vavuniya on Tuesday in intense clashes with the army, the Defence Ministry said.

In a separate incident, three militants were gunned down in a confrontation in Andekulam in North-east Welioya on Tuesday, it said.

One Tamil Tiger was killed in Andankulam in North-western Mannar on Tuesday, the army said.

Meanwhile, two bullet riddled bodies of civilians were found at Galayaya in general area Nochchiyagama on Wednesday afternoon in Anuradhapura district in North-central province.

Motive for the killing and the identity of the assailants are yet to be known, Nochchiyagama police said adding an investigation has been launched into the incident.

Source: Hindu