Separatist Tamil Tiger rebels fought intense battles against government forces trying to advance on the militants' de facto capital of KIlinochchi in northern Sri Lanka, killing at least 89 soldiers, a rebel-affiliated Web site said Thursday. The military however refuted the claim.
The military disputed the death toll, saying pitched battles in the north over the past two days had left 20 soldiers and 27 rebels dead.
Sri Lanka bans independent journalists from entering the battle-zone and media reports are largely based on claims made on either side of the island nation’s war with itself.
The TamilNet Web site reported that heavy fighting took place Wednesday around the rebel headquarters of Kilinochchi between guerrillas and government troops trying to advance into rebel-held territory.
In the worst fighting, rebels repulsed advances by soldiers on the villages of Oottuppulam and Puthumurippu, west of Kilinochchi, killing more than 60 soldiers, the Web site reported, citing unidentified rebel officials.
Separately, heavy clashes to the south of Kilinochchi killed an additional 29 soldiers, the report said.
The Web site said the bodies of a dozen soldiers were recovered from the villages west of Kilinochchi along with a dozen assault rifles and ammunition.
Rebel officials did not release their casualty details, the Web site said.
Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara dismissed the TamilNet account, saying it was an attempt to gain publicity.
Separately, the Defense Ministry said in a statement that soldiers fought pitched battles along the southern and western borders of Kilinochchi on Wednesday, killing 27 rebels and 20 soldiers.
Nanayakkara said troops on Wednesday seized Therumurukandi junction, a strategically important crossroad on the main highway in the north.
On Thursday, fighter jets and helicopter gunships bombed a series of rebel positions, including an underground bunker complex in Kilinochchi, said air force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara.
Damage and casualty details were not available, he said, adding that the air raids were launched to support ground troops advancing into the rebel heartland.
Fighting has escalated in recent months as government troops have moved deep into rebel territory and captured a number of key bases and towns, but they are still locked in heavy battles at the edge of Kilinochchi.
Authorities have vowed to crush the rebels, who have fought since 1983 to create an independent homeland for ethnic minority Tamils. More than 70,000 people have been killed in the violence.
The military disputed the death toll, saying pitched battles in the north over the past two days had left 20 soldiers and 27 rebels dead.
Sri Lanka bans independent journalists from entering the battle-zone and media reports are largely based on claims made on either side of the island nation’s war with itself.
The TamilNet Web site reported that heavy fighting took place Wednesday around the rebel headquarters of Kilinochchi between guerrillas and government troops trying to advance into rebel-held territory.
In the worst fighting, rebels repulsed advances by soldiers on the villages of Oottuppulam and Puthumurippu, west of Kilinochchi, killing more than 60 soldiers, the Web site reported, citing unidentified rebel officials.
Separately, heavy clashes to the south of Kilinochchi killed an additional 29 soldiers, the report said.
The Web site said the bodies of a dozen soldiers were recovered from the villages west of Kilinochchi along with a dozen assault rifles and ammunition.
Rebel officials did not release their casualty details, the Web site said.
Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara dismissed the TamilNet account, saying it was an attempt to gain publicity.
Separately, the Defense Ministry said in a statement that soldiers fought pitched battles along the southern and western borders of Kilinochchi on Wednesday, killing 27 rebels and 20 soldiers.
Nanayakkara said troops on Wednesday seized Therumurukandi junction, a strategically important crossroad on the main highway in the north.
On Thursday, fighter jets and helicopter gunships bombed a series of rebel positions, including an underground bunker complex in Kilinochchi, said air force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara.
Damage and casualty details were not available, he said, adding that the air raids were launched to support ground troops advancing into the rebel heartland.
Fighting has escalated in recent months as government troops have moved deep into rebel territory and captured a number of key bases and towns, but they are still locked in heavy battles at the edge of Kilinochchi.
Authorities have vowed to crush the rebels, who have fought since 1983 to create an independent homeland for ethnic minority Tamils. More than 70,000 people have been killed in the violence.
No comments:
Post a Comment