6 Soldiers, 7 Rebels Killed in Fierce Fighting
The Sri Lankan military attacked Tamil Tiger rebels from land and air, and the rebels retaliated in heavy fighting that killed at least six soldiers and seven rebels, officials said.
A military spokesman said he was unaware of any civilian casualties, but a senior rebel official, Seevarathnam Puleedevan, said at least 50 civilians had been killed and 200 injured.
The Tamil Tigers began fighting in 1983 for a separate homeland for the country’s 3.2 million Tamils, accusing the 14 million Sinhalese majority of discrimination.
Battles have centered on a key reservoir and canal in Trincomalee district.
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