Colombo - More than 700 soldiers and Tamil Tigers have been reported killed in fierce fighting in northern Sri Lanka, as the rebels said they had captured a key town held by the military. In the latest eruption of the country's 15-year conflict, the military also resumed a campaign to recapture a key northern highway, which it has been trying to take since May.
Defence sources contacted from New Delhi said the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had recaptured Killinochchi, the former headquarters of the rebels which fell to the army in 1996. If confirmed this would be a major blow for the drive against the Tamil Tigers.
The military reported heavy fighting around Paranthan and Killinochchi for the third consecutive day yesterday, saying 377 rebels - including 55 women - and more than 200 soldiers had been killed. A military statement said 100 more guerrillas and 62 soldiers were killed when troops resumed an offensive to capture a vital highway in the region.