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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Fierce fighting rages in S Lanka | Fierce fighting rages in S Lanka |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| There have been intense clashes between Sri Lankan security forces and Tamil Tigers in the country's north-east. | There have been intense clashes between Sri Lankan security forces and Tamil Tigers in the country's north-east. |
| The Sri Lankan defence ministry says troops have encircled scores of Tamil Tigers in a small stretch of land in the Mullaitivu district. | The Sri Lankan defence ministry says troops have encircled scores of Tamil Tigers in a small stretch of land in the Mullaitivu district. |
| But pro-rebel websites say Tamil Tiger guerrillas have mounted fierce counter-attacks in the area inflicting heavy casualties on the troops. | |
| The two versions of events could not be independently verified. | The two versions of events could not be independently verified. |
| Final phase | Final phase |
| The Sri Lankan military says it is on its final phase of its offensive to capture remaining Tamil Tiger positions in the north-eastern Mullaitivu district. | The Sri Lankan military says it is on its final phase of its offensive to capture remaining Tamil Tiger positions in the north-eastern Mullaitivu district. |
| There are reports of ferocious close quarter battles between the advancing soldiers and the rebels who are trying to resist the move. | There are reports of ferocious close quarter battles between the advancing soldiers and the rebels who are trying to resist the move. |
| The defence ministry says troops have now surrounded a group of Tamil Tigers in about one square kilometre territory after capturing a key supply route of the rebels in the Puthukudiyiruppu area. | The defence ministry says troops have now surrounded a group of Tamil Tigers in about one square kilometre territory after capturing a key supply route of the rebels in the Puthukudiyiruppu area. |
| According to the defence ministry, heavy fighting is still continuing in the area and soldiers have recovered at least 21 bodies of the rebels killed in the fighting on Wednesday. | According to the defence ministry, heavy fighting is still continuing in the area and soldiers have recovered at least 21 bodies of the rebels killed in the fighting on Wednesday. |
| Tamil Tigers have not reacted to the military's version of events. | Tamil Tigers have not reacted to the military's version of events. |
| But pro-rebel websites said the guerrillas had been fiercely resisting the army's advance and that hundreds of soldiers had been killed in the fighting. | But pro-rebel websites said the guerrillas had been fiercely resisting the army's advance and that hundreds of soldiers had been killed in the fighting. |
| Neither version of events could be independently confirmed as journalists are not allowed to report from inside the conflict zone. | Neither version of events could be independently confirmed as journalists are not allowed to report from inside the conflict zone. |
| On Wednesday, the government had once again firmly rejected calls for a ceasefire but said the military would suspend its attacks to ensure the safety of civilians fleeing the war zone. |