Xinhua
Colombo, Feb 22 (Xinhua) At least 14 Tamil Tiger rebels have been killed in fighting with government troops in north Sri Lanka, the military said Friday. Officials from the Media Centre for National Security said nine Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels were killed Thursday in Vavuniya district while another five died in Mannar district.

In Vavuniya, eight rebels were killed while three soldiers were injured in a battle in West Mullikulam area and another rebel was killed when the troops attacked and destroyed an LTTE bunker at Vilayathikulam.

Meanwhile, in Mannar, three rebels were killed when a group of rebels attempted to infiltrate into Parappakandal area. Two other rebels were killed in Nanthottam.

Intense fighting is underway in north Sri Lanka as the government is determined to defeat the LTTE before the end of this year.

The military said more than 700 people have been killed in the conflict since the beginning of this year.

The LTTE has been fighting for a separate homeland in the north and east for more than two decades.
Xinhua