44 combatants killed in latest Lankan fighting

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COLOMBO, Oct 20 (AFP): At least 33 Sri Lankan government soldiers and 11 Tamil Tiger rebels have been killed in the latest heavy fighting in the north of the island, the defence ministry said Monday.
Government forces also suffered at least 48 soldiers wounded and another three soldiers missing in the latest battles with Tamil Tiger guerrillas since Saturday south of the rebel political capital of Kilinochchi.
The ministry said security forces recovered the bodies of 11 members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) following the weekend clashes.