Colombo:At least 25 Tamil Tigers were killed in intense clashes with security personnel as government fighter jets launched strikes in the rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi, officials said today.

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jet planes carried out three different air strikes on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) gathering points in Nachchikuda North area in Kilinochchi this afternoon. They were providing cover to the advancing Lankan army units.

The air strikes were launched in support of the advancing 58 Division troops in the Kilinochchi battle front, according to officials. While two LTTE cadres were shot dead in Nachchikuda yesterday, four rebels were gunned down in Vannarikulam in the region yesterday, the military said.

 In a separate incident, security forces personnel killed four Tiger militants in Pariyanmadu area in Kilinochchi on Sunday, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said. One rebel was also killed in Pariyanmadu last evening, it added. At least one LTTE cadre was killed another wounded in Andankulam area in North-East Welioya yesterday, the military said.

In another confrontation with the Tamil Tigers, government troops killed four of its cadres attacking a line of bunkersin Andankulam yesterday, it said. Two army soldiers also suffered injuries during the incident, the MCNS said.

At least three LTTE militants were killed in different incidents at Kiriibbanwewa North in Welioya yesterday,the Defence Ministry said. Meanwhile, troops engaged in mine clearing operations in the area removed 132 Anti-personnelmines and 15 Improvised Explosive Devices, it said.

Source : PTI