Colombo: At least 40 people, mostly Tamil Tigers, were killed in a series of clashes in Sri Lanka's embattled north, where the Army captured some rebel-held territory in stepped up battles with the guerrillas, officials said here today.

Among those killed was an LTTE area leader identified as Shankar, who was gunned down at Saukade in Batticaloa today by Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel, defence sources said.

According to defence intelligence sources, Shankar was the mastermind of several militant activities carried out by LTTE after the security forces took control of the Eastern Province.

The STF team also recovered one micro pistol with nine rounds and one hand grenade from the slain LTTE leader. He was trying to hurl a hand grenade when he was shot, the army said.

In another development, Sri Lankan defence authorities announced that about one square kilometre of the LTTE-held area in north-western Mannar was captured by security forces last evening following fierce battles that left 19 rebels dead and 30 others wounded. One soldier was also killed.

"As many as one square kilometre in the LTTE-controlled areas was captured by army troops yesterday in the north of Parappakandal in Mannar amidst heavy damage to the militants," a defence official said.

Troops forced into the LTTE positions ahead of Parappakandal defence lines, killing at least 19 rebels, including a woman LTTE leader, and wounding over 30 others, the Defence Ministry said.

Source : PTI