Casualties Heavy as Troops Battle Rebels

Government troops killed or wounded more than 200 Tamil Tiger rebels in their first major push against the guerrillas in more than a month, a military spokesman said. But the rebels put up a stiff fight against troops who advanced on their northern Kilinochchi stronghold backed by tanks, artillery and air support, military officials said. A military spokesman said ground troops and rebel radio transmissions intercepted by the army indicated more than 200 casualties among the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, but he was unable to say how many died. Military officials said at least 30 soldiers were killed.