5 Tamil rebels killed, 4 soldiers wounded
Sunday, 7 October 2007
COLOMBO, Oct 6 (AP): Five ethnic Tamil separatist rebels including a regional leader were killed in clashes with government troops across Sri Lanka's volatile north, the military said Saturday.
Clashes occurred Friday across the de facto border that separates government-controlled areas and the Tamil Tigers' northern mini-state, the Defence Ministry's information centre said.
Two rebels were killed in fighting in Periyathampanai, Vilathikulam and Navatkulam villages in northern Vavuniya district, an official said on condition of anonymity, citing policy. Four government soldiers were wounded, the official said.
Three guerrillas were killed in a clash near northeastern Welioya village, he said, adding a regional rebel leader named Kalaivanan, who like many rebels uses only one name, also died.
Meanwhile, the military said rebels handed over the bodies of an army officer and a soldier who went missing during recent fighting in northern Sri Lanka.
Clashes occurred Friday across the de facto border that separates government-controlled areas and the Tamil Tigers' northern mini-state, the Defence Ministry's information centre said.
Two rebels were killed in fighting in Periyathampanai, Vilathikulam and Navatkulam villages in northern Vavuniya district, an official said on condition of anonymity, citing policy. Four government soldiers were wounded, the official said.
Three guerrillas were killed in a clash near northeastern Welioya village, he said, adding a regional rebel leader named Kalaivanan, who like many rebels uses only one name, also died.
Meanwhile, the military said rebels handed over the bodies of an army officer and a soldier who went missing during recent fighting in northern Sri Lanka.