NEW DELHI, Feb 13 (KUNA) -- At least 40 rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and eight government soldiers have been killed in Sri Lanka's battle fatigued northern region.
As many as 17 LTTE rebels were killed yesterday in separate clashes in Koilmoddai, Umavarthuvarankulam, Alakallapottakulam, Mullikulam and Periyapantrichchhan areas of Vavuniya, the news agency Press Trust of India reported Wednesday, quoting a Sri Lankan Army officer.
Another LTTE rebel was shot dead at Muhamalai in Jaffna peninsula yesterday, the news agency reported quoting Sri Lanka's Media Centre for National Security (MCNS).
In Mannar, five LTTE cadres were killed yesterday, the Army officer said.
At Thalladi in Mannar, six government soldiers were killed and 10 injured in seperate clashes yesterday, the news agency said.
Seven LTTE rebels were killed in Kokkuthuduvai and Andankulam areas of Welioya yesterday. At Vilattakulam seven more rebels were killed yesterday, the MCNS said.
One LTTE cadre was killed at Nagarkovil in Jaffna. In northern Wanni's Navathakulam area, soldiers killed two rebels yesterday.
Meanwhile, two soldiers were killed in LTTE triggered explosions at Thaddankulam in Vavuniya, the Army officer said. (end) dr.bs KUNA 132330 Feb 08NNNN