Sri Lankan fighter jets pounded LTTE political capital Kilinochchi amid fierce clashes between the military and Tamil Tigers that left at least 12 rebels killed in the embattled northern part of the Island nation, officials said today.
Lankan jets launched a string of air strikes targeting LTTE battlefield fortifications located in the south Kilinochchi, 330 kilometres north of Colombo, and the West of Paranthan areas since early this morning.
"The attacks are being carried out in support of the Army 57 Division and the Task Force-1," Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.
Fighter jets bombed six locations to the west and northwest Kilinochchi, the Defense Ministry said in a statement. According to military sources, LTTE radio transmissions have confirmed serious damages to the rebel fighters during the clashes.
Reports of fighting have increased in recent months amid government’s efforts to crush the Tamil separatists. Fighting has flared after the government in January pulled out of the 2002 cease-fire pact with the rebels.
Advancing troops of the Task Force 3 forged into LTTE positions in general area Karuppaddamurippu, East of Olumadu, leading to injuries to over a dozen LTTE cadres yesterday at the western Mullaitticu battle front, the military said.
According to Wanni security sources, three LTTE cadres were killed in general area Adampan, while another met with similar fate in general area Nevil.
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