Lanka fighting claims 19

COLOMBO, SEPT 26: At least 17 Tamil rebels and two security personnel were killed in fresh fighting between government forces and LTTE militants, the defence ministry said today.

Twelve members of the separatist LTTE were shot dead in the northern Wanni region yesterday in four separate clashes, the ministry said in a statement.

Another five rebels were killed by troops in the north on Friday while the rebels shot dead a policeman and a navy sailor.