Five killed in Sri Lanka fighting
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
COLOMBO, July 23 (AFP): At least five Tamil Tiger guerrillas were killed in fresh fighting with Sri Lankan troops in the island's northwest, the rebels said Monday.
The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) resisted an advance by government forces in Mannar district on Sunday evening, Tiger spokesman Rasiah Ilanthiriyan said in a statement.
"Unable to face stiff retaliation of the LTTE defenders, the Sri Lanka armed forces formation fell back with heavy casualty and material loss," he said.
"After chasing intruders away, the LTTE fighting units are consolidating the positions and searching the area. Five valiant front liners of the LTTE lost their lives in this clash."
There was no immediate reaction from the military.
The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) resisted an advance by government forces in Mannar district on Sunday evening, Tiger spokesman Rasiah Ilanthiriyan said in a statement.
"Unable to face stiff retaliation of the LTTE defenders, the Sri Lanka armed forces formation fell back with heavy casualty and material loss," he said.
"After chasing intruders away, the LTTE fighting units are consolidating the positions and searching the area. Five valiant front liners of the LTTE lost their lives in this clash."
There was no immediate reaction from the military.