Lankan army killed 18 Tamil rebels: Military

Post Comment   Email Story   Print Story   Read Comments

Friday, November 17, 2006 (Colombo):The Sri Lankan military said on Friday that its soldiers killed 18 Tamil Tiger rebels in three separate incidents in eastern Sri Lanka in the latest violence to hit the island.

"Our troops were fired upon and attacked at three places in Batticaloa and we retaliated, killing 18 tigers," said Brig Prasad Samarasinghe, Military spokesman.

Three soldiers were wounded in rebel gun fire.

Batticaloa town is under government control, but the rebels dominate villages and jungles.

No immediate comment was available from the rebels who say they want to create a separate homeland for Sri Lanka's 3.2 million Tamils.