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Forty-eight LTTE rebels, one soldier killed in intense clashes N. Sri Lanka

NEW DELHI, April 19 (KUNA) -- At least 48 rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and a government soldier have been killed in fresh clashes in embattled Northern Sri Lanka.
As many as two LTTE cadres were killed at Illamarudankulam area in Vavuniya Saturday, reports reaching here from Colombo quoted the Sri Lankan Defense Ministry as saying in a statement Saturday.
At least 11 rebels were killed in Thachchanamaruthamadu and Chinnavalavankaddu areas of Vavuniya on Friday, the ministry said.
On the Mannar front six guerrillas were killed in yesterday battles, according to the military statement.
In another clash in Minukkad and Malikaittidal areas of Mannar, three more LTTE rebels were killed.
One LTTE element and a government soldier were killed at Kokkutuduvai, Janakapura and Kribbanwewa in northeast Welioya also on Friday, Sri Lanka's Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said.
At least 13 LTTE rebels were killed at Kanthankulam, Kaddaikulam and Manipulikulam areas of Mannar on Friday.
No less than 12 Tigers were killed in Friday clashes in East of Madhu, Thathchanamarathamadu and Suleinamarathamadu area in Vavuniya district, the MCNS added. (end) dr.gb KUNA 192308 Apr 08NNNN