Colombo: At least 43 Tamil rebels were killed as Sri Lankan army, advancing under cover of fighter jets captured a LTTE training camp and other areas around the last two Tiger bastions of Mullaittivu and Kilinochichi, Defence Ministry said today.

The troops overran the training camp located near Kulamurippu in Mullaittivu area. The camp comprised with 10 Huts, a Lecture hall and series of trench lines.

The advancing troops were also assisted by close-combat air support provided by the fighters and MI-24 helicopter gunships.

Clashes erupted around at least three sectors near the two beleaguered Tiger towns. Troops also captured a number of bunkers and a communication tower on the Christmas day yesterday.

The Lankan troops also repulsed moves by Tigers to retake some of the lost positions by a counter attack which failed. A Defence Ministry statement said army snipers killed 28 rebels in two places, while 15 others LTTE cadres were killed and some wounded in a third clash in areas spread from Jaffna to Kilinochchi.

Forces of the 57 Division continued their offencive on tiger rebels while adjusting their defence lines yesterday, the ministry said.

59 Division troops entered the Mulliawalai township along the A-34 Oddusudan- Mullaittivu main road claiming claiming some more LTTE casualties after hours of heavy fighting.

According to latest reports received from the battlefield, 16 Sri Lanka Light Infantry regiment troops are now engaged in a fierce gun battle with LTTE in the area, today.

Source : PTI