Lanka steps up air strikes after Tiger raid

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COLOMBO, Sept 10(AFP) Sri Lanka stepped up its aerial bombing campaign against Tamil Tiger rebels Wednesday after the guerrillas devastated a key military complex and left 25 people dead, the defence ministry said. brFighter jets pounded what the Sri Lankan military called the Tiger intelligence command and control centre deep inside the rebel-held Kilinochchi region, the ministry said. brTaking on offensive raids into the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) backyard, Sri Lanka air force fighter jets made precision air sorties at the LTTE's main intelligence command and control centre located in Kilinochchi, the ministry said. brThe air force carried out at least four other bombing sorties after the Tiger rebels on Tuesday staged a pre-dawn coordinated air and ground attack against the Vavuniya military complex, just south of the frontlines. brThe Sri Lankan government said it had for the first time shot down a Tamil Tiger aircraft after the Vavuniya base attack that left 25 people dead. brDefence officials said 12 security personnel, one policeman and a civilian were killed in the attack, while 11 guerrillas were killed by troops defending the camp. brBut the rebels denied the claims, saying in a statement that the aircraft that participated in the sortie safely returned home. brThe Tigers said they lost 10 suicide bombers in attacking the Vavuniya military complex, 260 kilometres (160 miles) north of Colombo.