25 rebels killed in Sri Lanka clashes

Fighting between government troops and Tamil rebels continued Thursday in northern Sri Lanka, with at least 25 insurgents killed, military officials said.

Ten of the rebels were killed in two separate engagements in Mannar, some 320 km north of the capital Wednesday, when troops repulsed two rebel attacks in the area, while two government soldiers were wounded, officials said.

Eight more rebels were killed in Vavuniya, 240 km north of the capital, in two confrontations Wednesday. Two anti-tank mines were recovered in the area.

Seven more rebels were reported killed in Welioya, 320 km northeast of the capital Wednesday.

Fighting between government troops and rebels has intensified over the past few weeks as security forces have launched operations from several fronts to recapture parts of the north, currently held by the rebels.

The military and the government have vowed to crush the rebels within a year and recapture the rebel held areas.

The government has also been forced to intensify security in the capital and northern province, as rebels have carried out attacks on civilian targets, including three buses and a railway station, killing more than 80 civilians since January.

The military has been claiming that the rebels have been suffering heavy casualties in the north, but there has been no independent confirmation of the figures given by the military. No civilians have access to these areas of fighting

Source: newkerala.com