Apr 05, Colombo: Sri Lanka military said today clashes between the troops and Tamil Tigers across the northern battle fronts killed 15 Tiger cadres and a soldier.

In Jaffna, in the late hours of Friday troops launched a series of attacks and destroyed seven LTTE bunkers ahead of the Muhamalai forward defense lines. Media center for National Security said the offensives inflicted heavy damages to the Tigers.

In Mannar, Air Force MI 24 helicopters targeted an LTTE mortar position on Friday afternoon in the Andankulam area destroying the target and killing two Tigers.

Five Tiger cadres were killed during confrontations in Welioya and troops recovered 218 anti- personnel mines during the search operations conducted in the area. One soldier was also killed and another was injured during the confrontations.

Meanwhile three soldiers were injured due to anti personnel mine explosion in the general areas of Madhu and Puliyankulam in Mannar.

Casualty figures cannot be verified independently as the access to the region is restricted. Sri Lankan government has stepped up its military campaign against the rebels since they called off the 2002 ceasefire agreement in January.