This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7978151.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Fierce fighting rages in S Lanka Fierce fighting rages in S Lanka
(10 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 Mullaitivu district.
But pro-rebel websites say Tamil Tiger guerrillas have mounted fierce counter-attacks in the area inflicting heavy casualties on the troops. But pro-rebel websites say Tamil Tiger guerrillas have mounted fierce counter-attacks in the area inflicting heavy casualties on troops.
The two versions of events could not be independently verified. The two versions of events cannot be independently verified.
Final phaseFinal 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 the 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. name="story"> class="bodl" href="#map"> See map of the region
The defence ministry says that 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. There are reports of ferocious close-quarter battles between the advancing soldiers and the rebels.
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. The defence ministry says that troops have now surrounded a group of Tamil Tigers in about a square kilometre of territory after capturing a key supply route of the rebels in the Puthukudiyiruppu area.
Tamil Tigers have not reacted to the military's version of events. According to the defence ministry, heavy fighting is still continuing in the area and soldiers have recovered at least 21 bodies of rebels killed in the fighting on Wednesday.
The 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. Independent 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.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
The human cost of Sri Lankan fightingThe human cost of Sri Lankan fighting
On Wednesday, the government 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.
A senior UN human rights official is expected to visit Sri Lanka from Thursday to discuss the plight of civilians forced from their homes in the war zone.
Walter Kaelin, the representative for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the rights of the internally displaced, is expected to visit some of the government-run camps housing the civilians.
Click here to return