Sept 30, Colombo: Heavy fighting, erupted ahead of the frontlines in Sri Lanka's embattled North yesterday as troops pushed forward killing 43 Tigers, the military said. Five soldiers and an Army officer also lost their lives in the clashes.

Sri Lanka Navy’s Special Boat Squadron unit attacked two LTTE boats in Pooneryn this morning destroying the boats and killing 8 Tigers, defence reports said.

Heaviest ground battles took place in Welioya yesterday as troops launched attacks on a LTTE bunker line in the area. The confrontations killed 11 Tigers and 3 soldiers including an officer. More than 50 Tigers have been wounded while 9 soldiers also received injuries, according to the military officials.

In Kilinochchi troops retaliated a Tiger attack killing 16 Tigers and injured 3. Three soldiers were killed and another 9 received injuries in the clashes.

In Vavuniya in separate incidents 8 Tigers were killed.

Independent verification of casualty figures is not possible as the media is restricted from the conflict zone.