23 Tigers killed

Ranil WIJAYAPALA

COLOMBO: Twenty three LTTE cadres were confirmed killed yesterday in Panichchankerni and Kaddimurichcukulam in Batticaloa in Security Forces retaliatory fire foiling the LTTE's attempt to attack Forward Defences in Batticaloa last afternoon.

Military sources from the East told the Daily News that 18 LTTE cadres were confirmed killed in Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher fire directed at LTTE cadres regrouping to launch a major assault on Security Forces close to Panichchankerni.

According to sources, 25 LTTE cadres, 10 of them were seriously injured, due to Security Forces retaliatory fire. Another five LTTE cadres were killed when troops in ambush launched an assault on LTTE cadres in Kaddimurichcukulam in Batticaloa.

"Four soldiers injured in the ambush were admitted to the Polonnaruwa hospital," sources added.

The LTTE during the past few days have intensified attacks on Security Forces in Kajuwatta, Mankerni and other defences in Batticaloa keeping nearly 30,000 civilians as a human shield in Kathirveli and Vakarai areas.

"Security Forces successfully repulsed those attacks killing dozens of LTTE cadres," a senior military official said.