48 LTTE rebels killed in Northern Sri Lanka clashes

At least 48 rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and a soldier have been killed in fresh clashes in Northern Sri Lanka.

At least 17 LTTE cadres were killed as soldiers yesterday captured a key LTTE's base in north-east Welioya, Sri Lankan Defence Ministry said in a statement at Colombo Saturday.

Seven more LTTE rebels were killed at North Kiribbanwewa area in Welioya yesterday.

Two LTTE cadres were killed in Ampaddankulam area in North-western Mannar yesterday, the Defence Ministry said.

Two more rebels were killed in Kiriththivu in Mannar yesterday. While two rebels were killed in Navathkulam in Vavuniya, three others were killed in Thunakkai area in the region.

Two LTTE cadres and a soldier were killed at Nochchikulam area in Vavuniya yesterday, the Ministry said.

In Nochchikulam, three cadres were killed. Six more were killed in Nauvi in Vavuniya yesterday. Four more rebels were killed in Kovitkanchikulam in Vavuniya yesterday.

Source: khabrein