May 10, Colombo: At least 46 LTTE cadres and eight soldiers were killed in fierce fighting in the Sri Lanka's embattled North, defense officials said on Saturday.

Sri Lankan Troops pushing ahead of frontlines in Mannar on Friday (09) launched a massive assault on the Tigers and captured an area of nearly a square kilometer in the Alamkulam in Mannar.

Media Center for National Security said a total of 33 Tigers were killed and 45 were reportedly injured during the attack which also killed eight soldiers and injured another twelve.

Another Tiger cadre was killed in a confrontation with the troops inVinukkodi area of Mannar yesterday afternoon while a soldier was reported killed in action in Manthottam area.

Confrontations in the Welioya area killed 12 Tigers while two soldiers received injuries the MCNS said. Meanwhile a total of 179 anti personnel mines and 24 booby traps were also recovered by troops in search operations conducted in the area on Friday.