Sri Lanka says rebel offensive kills 27 troops

Colombo, Aug 12: Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers killed 27 military personnel in an offensive on the army-held northern Jaffna peninsula today, and injured 80, the government said.

The military estimates it killed more than 150 rebels as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) pushed through their forward defence lines, overran army bunkers and attacked northern coastal positions from the sea.

''The LTTE is definitely pushing the country to war,'' Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told a news conference.

''The government has to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the country and we will take all measures to safeguard them.''

REUTERS

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