Tigers "overrun" army complex

COLOMBO, Nov 2 (UNI) — Tamil Tiger rebels today claimed to have overran a military complex at Oddusudan, north of Mankulam, and killed hundreds of Sri Lankan soldiers in heavy fighting that lasted nine hours.

An LTTE statement from its London headquarters said in the heavy fighting its cadres inflicted heavy casualties on the well entrenched Sri Lankan forces and captured the town. The LTTE also claimed to have seized several military vehicles and a huge quantity of arms and ammunition.

The statement said the rebels took control of the strategically important town of Oddusudan and surrounding areas along the Mankulam-Mullaitivu highway.

"Hundreds of bodies of soldiers are scattered all over the jungle areas and LTTE cadres are pursuing soldiers who have fled into the dense jungles in a total disarray, the statement said.

It added that LTTE was making necessary arrangements to hand over the bodies of the soldiers to the Red Cross. However, the Sri Lankan Army has not officially said anything about the LTTE's claim.