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Major battle in north-west Lanka Major battle in north-west Lanka
(about 7 hours later)
Hundreds of Sri Lankan troops have moved into Tamil Tiger-controlled territory in the north-west of the country, the rebels say.Hundreds of Sri Lankan troops have moved into Tamil Tiger-controlled territory in the north-west of the country, the rebels say.
The army denies the move but says it has killed 20 rebels and lost three soldiers in heavy shelling to "neutralise" a Tamil Tiger threat.The army denies the move but says it has killed 20 rebels and lost three soldiers in heavy shelling to "neutralise" a Tamil Tiger threat.
In the east, government forces are still trying to drive the Tigers from pockets they control.In the east, government forces are still trying to drive the Tigers from pockets they control.
More than 4,000 people have died since fighting flared up again in late 2005.More than 4,000 people have died since fighting flared up again in late 2005.
Analysts say the island is sliding back towards full-scale civil war, although a 2002 ceasefire remains nominally in force.Analysts say the island is sliding back towards full-scale civil war, although a 2002 ceasefire remains nominally in force.
Reports from the Mannar area say thousands of refugees have sought refuge in a church in Madhu.
'Human shields''Human shields'
The Tigers' military spokesman, Rasiah Ilanthiriyan, said some 300 soldiers had taken control of a village inside Tiger territory in the district of Mannar and were using Tamil civilians as human shields. The Tigers' military spokesman, Rasiah Ilanthiriyan, said some 300 soldiers had taken control of a village inside Tiger-held territory in the district of Mannar and were using Tamil civilians as human shields.
The army has denied the allegation.The army has denied the allegation.
Military spokesman Brig Prasad Samarasinghe says an operation is underway to destroy Tamil Tiger (LTTE) artillery positions.Military spokesman Brig Prasad Samarasinghe says an operation is underway to destroy Tamil Tiger (LTTE) artillery positions.
"The LTTE is attacking with mortars ... without considering the safety of the civilians in the area. Three soldiers were killed and 4 injured," he said, the Reuters news agency reports. "The LTTE is attacking with mortars... without considering the safety of the civilians in the area. Three soldiers were killed and 4 injured," he said, the Reuters news agency reports.
"We have retaliated to neutralise them and we have observed more than 20 Tiger dead bodies.""We have retaliated to neutralise them and we have observed more than 20 Tiger dead bodies."
On Thursday, soldiers shot dead 11 people the army said were rebels at Omantai which is also on the de facto border. Two more were killed in Jaffna in the far north.On Thursday, soldiers shot dead 11 people the army said were rebels at Omantai which is also on the de facto border. Two more were killed in Jaffna in the far north.