Sept 29, Colombo: Sri Lankan Army troops have captured a four kilo meter stretch of the Akkarayankulam – Murukkandy road in Kilinochchi following a day-long battle yesterday that killed seven Tigers and a soldier.

The military said troops of the 57 division confronted the Tiger rebels holding positions along the captured block of the road from around 8:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. killing seven Tigers. Three soldiers were wounded in the battle.

Defence sources said troops confronted Tiger rebels throughout the day on Sunday in Welioya area killing 6 Tigers and injuring another 19. Troops recovered 226 Anti-personnel mines and 12 Improvised Explosive Devices during search operations conducted in Andankulam area of Welioya.

Six more Tigers have been killed in clashes in Vavuniya and in Jaffna, the Defense Ministry reported.

Meanwhile a soldier who was injured in yesterday’s suicide attack in Vavuniya succumbed to his injuries this morning at the Anuradhapura Hospital, defence officials reported.

A suspected LTTE suicide bomber on a bicycle rammed a three-wheeler carrying police personnel yesterday near the main bus stand in Vavuniya killing driver and injuring another 9 including three soldiers nearby.