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Troops assault key Sri Lanka pass Troops assault key Sri Lanka pass
(about 3 hours later)
The Sri Lankan army says heavy fighting is under way as troops assault Elephant Pass, the strategic causeway linking the Jaffna peninsula with the mainland.The Sri Lankan army says heavy fighting is under way as troops assault Elephant Pass, the strategic causeway linking the Jaffna peninsula with the mainland.
Troops took Kilinochchi, the political headquarters of the Tamil Tiger rebels last week and then marched north.Troops took Kilinochchi, the political headquarters of the Tamil Tiger rebels last week and then marched north.
Soldiers have also advanced south from Muhamalai, the northernmost defensive line of the rebels in Jaffna, which was captured on Tuesday.Soldiers have also advanced south from Muhamalai, the northernmost defensive line of the rebels in Jaffna, which was captured on Tuesday.
There has been no word yet on the latest fighting from the Tigers.There has been no word yet on the latest fighting from the Tigers.
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Some media reports said the pass had been taken but defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told Reuters news agency: "We haven't captured it. We are moving in and fighting is going on."Some media reports said the pass had been taken but defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told Reuters news agency: "We haven't captured it. We are moving in and fighting is going on."
Separately, the military said a roadside bomb set off in the east by rebels had killed seven people.
De facto state
On Thursday, troops coming down from Muhamalai took over the rebel base at Pallai and then advanced 5km (3 miles) further south to capture Sorampattu, the military said.On Thursday, troops coming down from Muhamalai took over the rebel base at Pallai and then advanced 5km (3 miles) further south to capture Sorampattu, the military said.
Sorampattu is 9km (5.5 miles) from Elephant Pass.Sorampattu is 9km (5.5 miles) from Elephant Pass.
The Tigers, who are fighting for a separate homeland in the north and east, had established a de facto state squeezed between government-controlled Jaffna in the north and the rest of the country.The Tigers, who are fighting for a separate homeland in the north and east, had established a de facto state squeezed between government-controlled Jaffna in the north and the rest of the country.
But the latest military offensive has forced the rebels to give up much of their territory.But the latest military offensive has forced the rebels to give up much of their territory.
Sri Lanka's government has vowed to destroy the Tigers.Sri Lanka's government has vowed to destroy the Tigers.
At least 70,000 people have been killed in the 25-year rebel insurgency.At least 70,000 people have been killed in the 25-year rebel insurgency.
The bomb blast in the east took place at Morawewa, outside the city of Trincomalee, on Friday morning as a convoy escorted by troops passed by, a statement on the defence ministry website said.
The dead included three air force personnel. Six people were injured in the attack.
The pro-Tamil Tiger website TamilNet meanwhile reported that Sri Lankan army artillery fire had killed at least four people at Tharmapuram, which it says is a centre of displaced civilians.
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