14 people killed in Sri Lanka violent civil war

Rebel troops of separatist Tamil Tiger attacked government soldiers in two violent battles in northern Sri Lanka on Thursday. Air force jets attacked military base, 14 rebels were killed.

Photo: 14 people killed in Sri Lanka violent civil war

14 people killed in Sri Lanka violent civil war

A group of rebels attacked the government's forward defense line at Muhamalai at dawn, prompting soldiers to push forward and destroy four rebel bunkers, an official at the Defense Ministry information center said.

Eight rebels died in the fighting, and the soldiers held the rebel bunker line for nearly an hour before withdrawing, the official said on condition of anonymity, citing government policy.

In Mannar district west of Muhamalai, six rebel fighters were killed in a clash with government soldiers on Thursday, the official said. Ten soldiers were wounded, he said.

Also on Thursday, air force jets pounded a guerrilla training base in the rebel-held Mullaithivu district, he said.

Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan could not be reached for comment, and independent confirmation of the claims was not possible.