9 combatants killed, 18 wounded in Lanka clashes

Colombo, Dec 22: At least eight Tamil Tiger rebels and a government soldier were killed and 18 more wounded on both sides when the military launched an attack destroying seven bunkers of the rebels in the north-western Mannar district, Sri Lankan Defence Ministry here claimed.

''Ground troops confirm eight terrorists killed and twelve injured in the attack while capturing the LTTE entry/exit centre on the Uyilankulam-Andankulam road in Mannar,'' the Defence Ministry claimed.

It also said that a soldier was killed and six others injured in the confrontation that broke out at around 1000 hrs local time this morning at the Forward Defences at Parapankandal.

There was no immediate reaction from the LTTE in this regard.

UNI