Sri Lankan army targets Tamil Tiger positions

Colombo: Sri Lankan army forces bombed Tamil Tiger strongholds on Thursday, killing 33 rebels, the military said.

"MI-24 attack helicopters engaged LTTE gathering northwest of Omantai in Vavuniya this morning," Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.

He gave no details of casualties but said: "Pilots confirm that the target was accurately engaged."

Ground fighting on Tuesday and Wednesday had killed 33 rebels and wounded 40, while seven soldiers were killed and 27 wounded in the same battles, the military said.