38 LTTE cadres killed in clashes

At least 38 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam cadres, including a woman, and two soldiers were killed in fierce clashes in Sri Lanka's restive north amidst attack by the air force fighter aircraft to support the ground forces.

At least 25 LTTE rebels were killed in intense fighting in Chiraddikulam in Vavuniya on Thursday, the defence ministry said, adding that all the bodies were recovered.

"According to available information LTTE fighters received heavy damages as the LTTE battle formations were said to be beaten in the military push launched by the soldiers of 57th Division of the army," it said.

Meanwhile, the air force on Friday launched an air strike on an LTTE special unit headquarters and training camp using fighter jets, the Media Centre for National Security said.

The camp was located 10 km north of Odduyadan junction near the rebel stronghold, it said. "Air force pilots confirm that the target was accurately engaged."

In ground clashes, Lankan troops killed two LTTE rebels in Navatkulam near Vavuniya on Thursday, the military said, adding that four terrorists were shot dead in Palamodai in the region on Thursday.

As many as five Tamil Tigers were shot dead in Kanathputtukulam in Mannar on Thursday, the officials said, adding one Tiger was killed in Malikkandal in the region on the same day.

Separately, the security forces killed one female tiger cadre and nine others injured in clashes in Janakapura north and Kiriibbanwewa in North-eastern Welioya on Thursday, the army said. On the same day, two soldiers conducting clearing operations in the north of Janakapura were killed in an improvised explosive device explosion, it said.