6 Soldiers, 7 Rebels Killed in Fierce Fighting
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The Sri Lankan military attacked Tamil Tiger rebels from land and air, and the rebels retaliated in heavy fighting that killed at least six soldiers and seven rebels, officials said.
A military spokesman said he was unaware of any civilian casualties, but a senior rebel official, Seevarathnam Puleedevan, said at least 50 civilians had been killed and 200 injured.
The Tamil Tigers began fighting in 1983 for a separate homeland for the country’s 3.2 million Tamils, accusing the 14 million Sinhalese majority of discrimination.
Battles have centered on a key reservoir and canal in Trincomalee district.
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