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At least eight killed, 300 surrender in Sri Lanka battle
Colombo, Apr 09: At least eight fighters were killed and several wounded in fighting between Tamil Tiger rebels and a renegade faction in north-eastern Sri Lanka today, rebel sources said.
Colombo, Apr 09: At least eight fighters were
killed and several wounded in fighting between Tamil Tiger
rebels and a renegade faction in north-eastern Sri Lanka
today, rebel sources said.
The pro-tiger Tamilnet.Com website said forces of the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam were advancing on positions held by the renegade commander V. Muralitharan, better known as Karuna, and there were casualties on both sides.
LTTE formations crossed the Verugal river that separates the northeast district of Trincomalee and Karuna-held Batticaloa region.
"More than 300 young fighters of the Karuna group who were defending the southern side of the (Verugal) river and the interior surrendered without fight," the Tamilnet said.
There was no immediate word from Karuna on the fighting or the casualties in the pre-dawn fighting.
However, earlier in the day, Karuna's spokesman who is identified as Varadan said the LTTE's main leadership had initiated the battle and was facing resistance.
Bureau Report
LTTE formations crossed the Verugal river that separates the northeast district of Trincomalee and Karuna-held Batticaloa region.
"More than 300 young fighters of the Karuna group who were defending the southern side of the (Verugal) river and the interior surrendered without fight," the Tamilnet said.
There was no immediate word from Karuna on the fighting or the casualties in the pre-dawn fighting.
However, earlier in the day, Karuna's spokesman who is identified as Varadan said the LTTE's main leadership had initiated the battle and was facing resistance.
Bureau Report