15 Tigers killed in fresh battle: MCNS

Fifteen LTTE cadres and three policemen were killed in two separate incidents in the northeast yesterday in an escalation of violence after a lull of more than a week, the official news centre said.

The LTTE cadres were killed when they tried to attack the police post at Pullumalai in Batticaloa, the Media Centre for National Security said. Two STF personnel also suffered minor injuries.

The STF had received information in advance that the LTTE was planning to attack the post at dawn yesterday and had moved into the area and lay in wait.

In the ensuing gun battle, 15 LTTE cadres were killed and one was injured. Three of the dead and the injured cadre were taken away by the retreating LTTE attackers .The STF has recovered 12 bodies and 11 T 56 rifles, 32 magazines with live ammunition, 19 anti-personnel mines and three communication sets.

The bodies are to be handed over to the LTTE through the ICRC. Meanwhile, in another incident at Salambaikulam in Vavuniya, three policemen were killed in a claymore mine blast while they were on a route clearing patrol yesterday morning, the MCNS said.