18 Rebels Reported Slain in Sri Lanka

Eighteen Tamil separatist guerrillas were killed Wednesday when security forces raided their hideout in Sri Lanka’s Northern province, a Defense Ministry spokesman said.

He said the security forces recovered a cache of ammunition including 87 mortar shells, five mortars, 250 grenades, 500 detonators and 1,100 pounds of explosives from the guerrilla camp in Vavuniya district.

Troops have detained nearly 400 suspected guerrillas in northern and eastern areas in the last six days, the spokesman said. He said 94 were freed after questioning. The guerrillas are fighting to set up a separate state for minority Tamils.