Sri Lankan troops wrested control of a key route from LTTE guerillas in northern Jaffna peninsula on Saturday after an intense battle that killed at least 12 soldiers and 26 rebels, the defence ministry said. Another 34 tigers were also wounded in the fighting, the ministry said , adding the casualties on the rebels' side were believed to be high.

Troops, supported by fighter jets, tanks and artillery, captured the key highway linking the northernmost point Pedro and the a-9 highway through Sarasali in Saturday's offensive. They also captured a 11-sq km area of the LTTE-held territory west of Chavakachcheri during the offensive.
The air force bombed enemy artillery and mortar positions successfully, the ministry said.
Troops were still engaged in clearing the captured areas of isolated enemy pockets, mines and improvised explosive devices. Defence ministry spokesman Brig Sanath Karunaratne said that Saturday's action was another stage of operation Kinihira five. The latest fighting followed Colombo's announcement that it was ready to open talks with the LTTE. Bureau Report