Colombo: Stepping up its offensive against the LTTE, Sri Lankan army captured the rebels key coastal base of Nachchikuda after a fierce battle that left "several" soldiers dead in the island's embattled north, where fighter jets also pounded a suspected sea Tiger bastion today.

Security forces and Tamil Tigers clashed in Nachchikuda and Pandiveddikulam areas of the rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi yesterday, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said.

Several soldiers lost their lives and some others were wounded during the clashes, it said.

"However, after a fierce battle, the troops yesterday completely captured the strategically important Nachchikuda, an LTTE stronghold," the MCNS said.

In a separate incident, fighter jets raided a suspected hideout of a sea Tiger leader this afternoon, the Air Force said.

Air Force media spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said the target was located in Jayanthinagar area, 2.5 kms west of Akkarayankulam tank in Kilinochchi. However, he said the exact damage caused by the attack has not been verified.

Meanwhile, "several" LTTE rebels were killed and a large number of them injured in Andankulam area in Mullaittivu yesterday, the MCNS said, adding a soldier also lost his life and a few others wounded in these incidents.

Subsequently, 40 anti-personnel mines were recovered by the troops in a search operation in the area, the military said.
Source : PTI