Two LTTE aircraft bomb Lankan defence lines

Colombo, Apr 27 (PTI) Two light aircraft of the LTTE attacked Sri Lanka defence lines today as intense clashes between the Tamil Tigers and soldiers left 28 rebels and 8 troops dead, officials said.

"Despite heightened ground confrontations between troops and LTTE at the Wanni battle theatre, it was reported that three bombs were dropped by LTTE today at the military forward defence lines in Welioya at around 1.45 a.M," a defence spokesman said.

According to military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, no damages were caused to troops in the aerial bombing by the LTTE.

"During the wee hours the Sri Lankan Air Force defence network radars detected two light aircraft of LTTE which were airborne and heading towards North east Welioya.

"In accordance with standard operating procedures, SLAF interceptor aircraft were made airborne in the direction of the intruding enemy craft.

However, enroute to the area it was observed that the LTTE aircraft were fleeing and heading back," an official release quoted air force sources as saying.

In ground clashes, intermittent battles were reported in general areas north of Manthai and east of Veddayamurippu in Mannar.

According to reports, two LTTE cadres were killed by snipers in two separate incidents in North of Manthai by SLA yesterday.

"Troops also advanced and captured three LTTE bunkers killing eight LTTE cadres and injuring 10 others during intense fighting in East of Veddayamurippu in Mannar yesterday," the defence ministry said. PTI