Rebels Killed 100 Soldiers, Officials Say

Tamil Tiger guerrillas killed at least 100 Sri Lankan soldiers in a massive counterattack on army troops advancing toward the northern rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi, military officials said. In the predawn assault, members of the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam hit the rear of an army column with a devastating mortar barrage, one military officer said, asking not to be identified. About 45 of the dead and 70 wounded were flown to Colombo, the capital, he said. The attack was the first reported major assault by the rebels since government troops launched a fresh offensive against the stronghold last weekend after a lull in the conflict of more than a month. The rebels are fighting for an independent homeland for minority Tamils in the island’s north and east.