Colombo: At least 49 Tamil Tigers died in heavy gunbattles between Sri Lankan security forces and LTTE militants, while rebels claimed they killed over two dozen soldiers in island nation's embattled north.

"It has been confirmed from intercepted Tiger communication that the number of LTTE militants killed in confrontations in South-West Adampan in Mannar yesterday has increased to 32 with injuries to 20 rebels," the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said in a statement today.

As many as 20 soldiers were also injured in the clashes, it said.

Meanwhile, LTTE claimed that "at least 20 Sri Lankan soldiers were killed and 75 others were wounded during clashes in Paalakuli and Adampan in Mannar." The rebel group said three Tigers were also killed in the fighting.

Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry said the two incidents of armed hostilities between army troops and LTTE militants in the general area of Muhamale today left five rebels dead.

Source : PTI