Aerial attack in Lanka; 18 Tamil rebels killed

Meanwhile, about 1,000 people in Jaffna city rallied outside the local administrative office today, demanding the International Committee of the Red Cross provide safe passage for more than 4,000 civilians trapped in fighting for Elephant Pass.

The military admitted losing 12 soldiers since yesterday, but a Tamil rebel radio station claimed 25 soldiers were killed. The Voice of the Tigers broadcast did not mention rebel casualties.

Defence Ministry spokesman Col. Ranjith Witana said 26 soldiers were wounded as the military tried to wrest back positions around the causeway.

Elephant Pass links the mainland to the Jaffna Peninsula. Its fall to the rebels would open the way for an attack on Jaffna City, the former rebel capital that the army seized in 1996.

There was no independent confirmation of the rival casualty claims, as journalists are barred from visiting the war zone.