LTTE rebels attack Palaly airport

Details of damage or casualties were not immediately known but the reports said six shells landed in Palaly military complex and around Vasavilan area where army hospital is located.

The rebels shelled the area after claiming on Wednesday that they captured a nearby Kaithady garrison town, a crucial supply route for Government troops in Jaffna city and Palay airport.

They claimed that at least 100 Lankan soldiers were killed in the 12-hour battle. There was no confirmation of the claim. Sri Lankan Government in Colombo said its troops continued to repulse all attempts by the rebels to push them back from Colombothurai, one of northern suburbs of Jaffna town.

A government press release said that while the LTTE8217;s advances toward Colombothurai were repulsed, troops manning defences at Ariyalai, north of Jaffna town, contained the rebels8217; attacks by readjusting the defence lines.

Seven security personnel have been wounded due to confrontations since Wednesday, it said.