May 21, Colombo: Continuing clashes between the troops and LTTE Tigers in the embattled Northern Sri Lanka killed 25 Tigers while the Air Force helicopter gunships attacked rebel targets near the battle fronts, the military said today.

Sri Lanka Air Force MI-24 helicopter gun ships provided close air support ahead of security forces defence line in Muhamalai in Jaffna this morning, Defense Ministry said.

According to the Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Andrew Wijesooriya targets an LTTE mortar launching pad and an LTTE's gathering place located 3km ahead of the security forces defence line in Muhamalai were targeted in the raids.

Meanwhile, sporadic clashes in the Welioya, Vavuniya and Mannar areas killed 23 rebels, Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said. Sri Lankan soldiers killed 17 rebels in three separate battles in Vavuniya while clashes in Welioya and Mannar killed six rebels.

Meanwhile in Jaffna ground troops confirmed that ten LTTE bunkers at Muhamalai were completely destroyed injuring 3 rebels and four soldiers.

Independent verification of casualty figures is not possible as the media is barred from the battlefronts.