Friday, August 25 2006 15:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: Sri Lankan jets today (Aug 25, 2006) bombed suspected Tamil Tiger positions in an area in the northeast where the rebels have a clandestine airfield, officials said.

Kfir jets hit Tiger positions at Iranamadu in the northern Kilinochchi district, military officials said, adding they had no immediate details of casualties.

Meanwhile, fighting in the northern peninsula of Jaffna has died down but sporadic clashes have been reported in the disputed northeast.

Five rebels were killed yesterday in a clash with a military patrol in northeastern Batticaloa district, the military said.

"Five LTTE cadres were killed and their bodies recovered," a defence ministry spokesman said, adding a gun and grenades had been recovered.

A relief ship carrying 3,800 tonnes of food and medicines began unloading at the Kankesanthurai harbour, at the northern edge of the peninsula, officials said.

The Tigers and the Red Cross were also negotiating safe passage for a ferry that will transport up to 150 foreign nationals and local NGO staff trapped in the peninsula, officials said.