Colombo: At least 501 LTTE cadres and 54 Sri Lanka security personnel have been killed in clashes this month, a senior official said today as Air Force jets bombed a rebel position in the embattled North.

"The security forces killed 501 LTTE cadres and lost 54 men between March 5-24," Defence spokesman Udaya Nanayakara said.

Nanayakara said 115 bodies of militants have already been handed over to the International Red Cross Committee.

About over 30 sq kms of area has been liberated from the Tamil Tigers in recent times, he added.

Meanwhile, another defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said the government has decided to shift about 30 per cent of the Special Task Force from the liberated Eastern Sri Lanka to the embattled Northern parts of the country.

Defending the decision despite the forthcoming Provincial Council elections to the East, Rambukwella said many of such personnel are being withdrawn from Ampara district which has been peaceful in the recent times.

Meanwhile, Air Force fighter jets today attacked an LTTE arsenal and equipment storage in Udayankattu in west of the rebel stronghold of Mullaithivu in the North.

According to an Air Force official, the pilot confirmed the target was destroyed.

Source : PTI