(PTI) At least 47 LTTE cadres and three soldiers were killed in fierce clashes in Sri Lanka's restive northern region, where fighter jets pounded key rebel bases in a series of raids today.Fighter jets launched four strikes targeting three vital encampments of the LTTE in the rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi, the Air Force said.
The first raid targeted an LTTE communications centre located three kms northeast of Paranthan, Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said. Another two air raids were carried out to target an LTTE leader's hideout located two kms northeast of Kilinochchi, he said. The fourth air strike targeted a den of LTTE suicide bombers, also known as Black Tigers, located 1.5 kms west of Paranthan. Nanayakkara said all three targets were effectively engaged.
In ground clashes, troops operating in Akkarayankulam area in Kilinochchi attacked three LTTE bunkers, killing 14 rebels, officials said.
Another two Tamil Tigers were killed when troops attacked a group of rebels elsewhere in the region, the Defence Ministry said.
Four rebels were gunned down by security forces operating in the west of Mankulam area in Kilinochchi after detecting the guerrillas in Pannikkulama, it said.
Troops killed three LTTE cadres in Vannerikulam area, the Defence Ministry said, adding three soldiers also injured in the mortar fire.