Colombo, Sri Lanka (BBN) – At least 19 Tamil Tiger rebels were killed in fresh fighting in the country’s restive northern region, the military said on Saturday.

Seven Tigers were killed in confrontations with troops along the Welioya front. Four soldiers were also injured in the battle, defense officials confirmed.

In fierce fighting in Vavuniya, nine rebels were killed and another 12 received injuries, according to the Media Center for National Security.

Besides, three Tamil rebels were killed in Jaffna during confrontations with the government forces on Friday.

It was not possible to independently verify the military’s claims because media are banned from the northern jungles where much of the fighting takes place.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels have been battling for an independent homeland since 1972 in an ethnic conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

BBN/SI/SI/AD22:09