Dec 28, Colombo: Intense battles raged in the northeast of Sri Lanka as soldiers confronted the LTTE rebels for the control of rebel military hub of Mullaitivu with close combat air support from the Air Force, the military said.

Heavy fighting, erupted between the soldiers of Army’s 59 Division and Tigers near the LTTE-made earth bund north of Alampil Saturday (27) morning continued until evening, defence reports said.

Citing monitored LTTE radio communications, defence sources said Tigers suffered heavy losses. Some soldiers received injuries and few more failed to meet up their detachment, officials said adding that search operations are underway to find the missing soldiers.

Pro-rebel Tamilnet website meanwhile said the rebels beat back the Army offensive killing more than sixty soldiers.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara however disputed the Tiger claim saying that only nine soldiers were killed.

Air Force spokesman, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said Air Force fighter jets made twin air sorties this morning at identified LTTE resistance positions south of Mullaitivu in support of the advancing 59 Division troops.

Meanwhile, Task Force-2 troops from Nainamadu along the Puliyankulam-Nedunkerni road finally linked them with the Task Force - 4 troops about 800 m southwest of Nedunkerni town this morning bringing the whole stretch of road between Puliyankulam and Nedunkerni under full Army control.

Troops, having consolidated positions in the area, are now conducting clearing operations, the military said adding that taking control of the road was a huge blow to the Tigers as it severs their operations.