The Web Sri Lanka In Focus

Monday, 21 January 2008

Military attack kills 17 in Sri Lanka's north

GOVERNMENT soldiers attacked Tamil Tiger rebel bunkers across the front lines in Sri Lanka's embattled north on Monday, triggering a battle that killed 15 guerrillas and two soldiers, the military said.

Backed by artillery and mortar fire, soldiers pushed into rebel-held territory in the northern Jaffna Peninsula and destroyed 24 rebel bunkers early on Monday, said military spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara.

He said the battle lasted for about on hour and killed 15 rebels and two soldiers. Nine soldiers were wounded, he said.

There was no immediate comment from the rebels.

Source: straitstimes