Aug 24, Colombo: Heavy fighting engulfed the restive North yet another day as Sri Lankan troops continued their forward march into the Tamil Tiger rebel controlled areas killing 26 Tamil Tiger rebels and injuring another 9 on Saturday. Three soldiers were also killed and 17 more received injuries, the military reported today.

Two soldiers were killed and three soldiers suffered injuries when troops operating in the Tunukkai area of Mullaitivu came under rebel fire. In Kilinochchi troops killed five Tiger rebels in confrontations while four soldiers were wounded due to LTTE mortar fire.

Heaviest clashes took place in Welioya area as troops advanced ahead of the frontlines. During the confrontations on Saturday (23) eleven Tigers were killed and another nine were injured in the general area of Andankulam. A soldier was killed in an explosion of an improvised explosive device. Eight soldiers received injuries in the clashes.

Troops launched an offensive in Vavuniya and destroyed two LTTE bunkers in the general area of Palamoddai yesterday. Five Tigers were killed in the offensive while two soldiers suffered injuries due to an explosion, Defense Ministry reported. Casualty figures cannot be independently verified as the reporters are barred from the conflict areas.

Sri Lankan military says more than 6,000 Tigers have been killed by security forces losing 560 of their own so far this year since the government abrogated the defunct 2002 ceasefire agreement in January vowing to eliminate the Tigers by the year end.

Yesterday’s provincial council poll victory for the ruling party is seen as mandate by the public for the government’s military campaign against the rebels.