Heavy fighting in northern Sri Lanka kills 53

Oct 15, 2008, 11:13 GMT

   Colombo - Government troops killed 47 Tamil rebels while suffering six fatalities in offensive operations in northern Sri Lanka, military officials said Wednesday.

   The casualties occurred Tuesday in ongoing fighting in central and coastal areas of Killinochchi district, 380 kilometres north of the capital.

Government troops have engaged Tamil rebels on several fronts in continued efforts to recapture more rebel-held areas, including the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) administrative centre Kilinochchi town.

Military officials said that at least 21 rebels and a similar number of soldiers were injured in the fighting, and claimed that government troops were 2 kilometres outside Kilinochchi town. However, there was no independent confirmation about the exact location of the troops.

   Meanwhile, thousands of civilians are seeking shelter further east in the adjoining Mullaitivu district.

   Already some 250,000 people have been displaced and rainy weather conditions are a cause for concern, a government officer working in a northern town outside the conflict zone said.

   He said the main worry of the people was that they do not have sufficient temporary shelter in Mullaitivu, which is partially covered by dense forests.

   Military officials have repeatedly declared their intention to capture all rebel-held areas before the end of the year.