Army advances deeper into Tiger area, kills 80 rebels

Colombo, May 9: Sri Lankan defence forces today foiled an LTTE sea attack and sank two rebel boats, as they advanced deeper into the fast-shrinking rebel territory, capturing an embankment and killing at least 80 militants, including 14 Sea Tigers in the embattled north.

At least 80 Tiger rebels, including 14 sea Tigers, were killed as troops advanced forward to capture the remaining Tiger held areas around the newly demarcated 'safety zone' for civilians, the Defence Ministry said.

In ground operations, the Army broke into LTTE's mud embankment in Karayamulliavaikkal in Mullaitivu amid stiff resistance from the rebels, 35 of whom were found dead following the operation yesterday.

Another 31 LTTE cadres were killed during clashes at Wellamullavaikkal, Udayarkattukulam and Vavunavillu in Mullaitivu, the military said.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Navy destroyed two LTTE attack boats and captured two others in seas off Wellamullavaikkal, leaving all 14 Sea Tigers on board dead, the Navy said.

The Navy destroyed one LTTE sea Tiger suicide boat and another sea vessel after a "well-fortified" naval cordon was attacked by the Tiger rebels in the seas off Mullaitivu this morning, the Navy said, adding it has captured another LTTE suicide boat with an attack craft. PTI