Colombo: Sri Lankan air force supersonic fighter jets today carried out air sorties targeting LTTE bases in the embattled north while ground forces advanced further into the tiger strongholds of Kilinochchi and Jaffna, causing heavy casualties in the rebel camps.

Fighter jets pounded LTTE hideouts in Thirappuwadduwan, 10 Km northeast of Oddusuddan last night, accurately hitting their target, the air force said.
The Air Force also conducted an air sortie on an LTTE training base, about 6 km south of Puthukuduyirippu in Mullaithivu last night, the military said, claiming that the aerial attack caused severe damages to the identified target.

Meanwhile, running gun battles between government troops and the LTTE in the restive northern Sri Lanka resulted in heavy casualties to the rebels.

At Vavuniya, troops recovered a skeleton believed to be that of an slain LTTE fighter in a bunker, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said.

Troops of 57 Division operating in Kilinochchi battle front had heavy confrontations with LTTE militants yesterday, the defence ministry said.

According to the defence sources, troops stepped up further into LTTE terrain despite the rebel resistance in general area north east of Akkarayankulam and north of Therumurukanddi in the tiger stronghold.
Source : PTI