Oct 11, Colombo: Fierce fighting erupted in the embattled northern region killed 20 Tigers and 5 soldiers yesterday as troops, pushing deeper into the LTTE areas, inched towards Kilinochchi, the center of rebel territory in the North.

In heavy fighting erupted along the battlefronts in Welioya and Mullaitivu, troops captured four LTTE trenches killing seven Tigers and injuring another 37. Two soldiers also were killed and 8 more were injured in the day-long confrontations, the military reported.

Confrontations between ground forces and the Tigers in Kilinochchi killed 5 Tigers and three Army soldiers while another seven Tigers and seven soldiers were wounded during the battle.

In Jaffna, six LTTE cadres were killed by the troops in two different confrontations in Nagarkovil and Muhamalai areas yesterday. Three Army soldiers also were wounded due to an LTTE mortar attack in the same area and another was wounded due to an antipersonnel mine explosion in the Muhamalai area.

In Vavuniya, two Tigers were killed by the troops in a confrontation in Navatkulam area yesterday.

Casualty figures cannot be verified independently as the media is restricted in the embattled front regions.

However, defense observers say the LTTE suffered heavy losses in manpower and land since the government stepped up its military campaign following the abrogation of 2003 ceasefire agreement in January of this year.