A rebel-affiliated website said today a pre-emptive strike against Sri Lankan troops killed 60 soldiers close to the Tamil Tigers northern headquarters.
The TamilNet website reported the guerrillas attacked soldiers preparing for an offensive in Iranamadu village, south of the rebels’ de facto capital, Kilinochchi, on Saturday.
It said the rebels forced the soldiers to abandon some recently captured territory.
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said there were a “few” deaths but insisted the army had beaten back the rebels.