27 Tamil Rebels, Three Solders Killed In Sri Lanka

January 1, 2008 4:38 p.m. EST

Colombo, Sri Lanka (AHN) - Intensified clashes between security forces and Tamil Tiger rebels have left at least 27 militants and three soldiers dead in the country's northern region, the defense ministry said on Tuesday. Troops killed two rebels at Nilpokunuwewa while three guerrillas were killed in Pokkaravani, the ministry added.

Eight Tamil Tiger militants were killed in clashes with army troops at Madu campon Monday, according to the Media Center for National Security (MCNS). One Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) member was killed and another rebel injured in a confrontation with troops in Nawatkulam on Tuesday.

Separately, three rebels were killed and a bunker destroyed on Monday when the military attacked a group of rebels in Muhamali in Jaffna. In another confrontation in the same region on Monday, two rebels lost their lives and their bunker was destroyed.

Meanwhile, two another LTTE members were shot dead in the Kilaly area of Jaffna on Monday. While two rebels were killed in Puliyanpikulam in Vavuniya, security forces gunned down four others in Athawetunuwewa in North-Eastern Welioya on Monday in two separate incidents.

Two soldiers also died in the confrontation at Welioya, the ministry confirmed. At Kokkuthuduwai in Welioya on Monday, four Tamil rebels were injured and one soldier killed during clashes between army and LTTE members, the MCNS added.

More than 5,400 people have been killed in fighting since December 2005 in an ethnic conflict that has claimed more than 60,000 lives since 1972.