Thirty-one die in Lanka clashes

At least 30 Tamil Tigers and a soldier were killed in a series of gun battles in Sri Lanka's embattled northern region, officials here said on Thursday.

Troops gunned down five rebels and injured 10 others in separate attacks in Nagarkovil and Muhamalai areas of Jaffna, the Defence Ministry said, adding one soldier also lost his life.

Another two LTTE cadres were killed at Navathkulam in Vavuniya in a confrontation, it said.

Separately, two guerrillas were gunned down in Kokkuthuduwai in northeastern Welioya yesterday, the ministry said.

In another confrontation in Welioya, one rebel was shot dead and another injured on Wednesday, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said.

One more LTTE cadre was killed in Andankulam area of Welioya while two others injured yesterday, it said.

In fierce clashes at Vavuniya, at least seven rebels were killed by troops in Periyapandivirichchan area yesterday, the Defence Ministry, adding another guerrilla died in a separate clash in the same area.

In subsequent clashes in the same area, seven more LTTE cadres were gunned down by security forces.

One rebel was shot dead in Vilayathikulam area of Vavuniya yesterday, the MCNS said, adding another rebel was killed at Parappakandal in northwestern Mannar on Wednesday.

Source: NDTV