56 LTTE rebels killed

COLOMBO, Nov 23 (PTI) — At least 56 rebels and three Sri Lankan soldiers were killed in heavy fighting in the country’s north even as the LTTE radio today claimed its forces were advancing towards army’s biggest garrison at Thalladi.

A defence press release here said the troops repulsed an attempt by the guerrillas yesterday to attack the defences at Manthai, near Thalladi. Fifteen rebels were killed in the fighting, it said.

It said troops killed 20 rebels at Adampan in northwest Vanni where heavy fighting took place yesterday.

The army also killed 15 LTTE men at Pallamadu by ambushing a tractor carrying them.

Six members of the LTTE and three soldiers were killed in separate clashes in Vanni region, the release said.

Meanwhile, the LTTE radio said its cadres were subjecting the army camp at Thalladi with heavy fire.

Thalladi is one of the oldest military bases located at the strategic junction on the coast of the Mannar mainland.