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Tamil Tigers 'killed in fighting' | |
(about 10 hours later) | |
Sri Lankan troops have killed 15 Tamil Tigers rebels in a battle to capture a small town in the country's north-west, the army says. | Sri Lankan troops have killed 15 Tamil Tigers rebels in a battle to capture a small town in the country's north-west, the army says. |
Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told the BBC that two soldiers had also been killed during an operation to "liberate" Adampan in Mannar district. | Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told the BBC that two soldiers had also been killed during an operation to "liberate" Adampan in Mannar district. |
There is no independent confirmation of the report. | |
Violence in Sri Lanka has intensified since January, when the government pulled out of a ceasefire agreement. | Violence in Sri Lanka has intensified since January, when the government pulled out of a ceasefire agreement. |
Brig Nanayakkara said Adampan was a Tamil Tiger stronghold. | Brig Nanayakkara said Adampan was a Tamil Tiger stronghold. |
"They had built fortified connected bunkers in the area," he said. | "They had built fortified connected bunkers in the area," he said. |
"The area had to be liberated for people to settle down there." | "The area had to be liberated for people to settle down there." |
He said seven soldiers had been injured in the operation. | He said seven soldiers had been injured in the operation. |
The rebels admitted that fierce fighting was going on around Adampan. | |
But a rebel spokesman said the military had announced the capture of the town four months ago - and asked how many times they were going to make the same claim. | |
Last month, the rebels bombed military targets in the Welioya region in north-east of Sri Lanka using light aircraft. | Last month, the rebels bombed military targets in the Welioya region in north-east of Sri Lanka using light aircraft. |
The Tigers have fought for a generation for an independent state for the Tamil minority. | The Tigers have fought for a generation for an independent state for the Tamil minority. |
At least 70,000 people have died since the civil war began in 1983. | At least 70,000 people have died since the civil war began in 1983. |
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