45 killed in Lankan ground clashes, air force bombs Kilinochchi

At least 43 LTTE militants and two soldiers were killed in fierce ground clashes in the embattled Northern Sri Lanka as air force fighter jets pounded a rebel stronghold, officials said on Friday.

"Sri Lankan Air Force fighter jets made offensive sorties at an inland sea Tiger base this morning at Kiranchchi, west of Kilinochchi," the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said.

The air raid was conducted around 8:15 am, it said adding "pilots have confirmed completing the mission successfully".

In ground clashes between the LTTE and security forces, five militants were killed in two separate confrontations in North-Western Mannar yesterday, the army said.

Three rebels were gunned down in Parappakandal area in the region on Thursday in another confrontation.

Also, eight LTTE rebels were killed in west Mullikulam area of Vavuniya yesterday while another militant was killed elsewhere in the region on Thursday, the Defence ministry said.

Meanwhile, in clashes at the Northeastern Welioya, troops killed six LTTE cadres yesterday, the army said.

In Karampaikulam area of Mannar, troops killed four Tiger militants yesterday, the army said adding two soldiers also lost their lives in the confrontation.

Source: Hindu