COLOMBO, Aug 29: The Sri Lankan military captured two strategic northern Tamil Tiger bases after fierce clashes killing around 35 rebels as the army continued to push towards the rebel headquarters in Killinochchi, the Defence Ministry said on Friday.

Fresh violence in the volatile eastern district of Batticaloa were also reported.

Troops took control of the northern coastal towns of Palamoddai and Ulathuvely after “heavy fighting” with the LTTE, the ministry stated in a statement while the police in the east said a hand grenade blast inside a prison in Batticaloa wounded seven prisoners, most of them suspected of being allied with the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels.

The LTTE has not commented on the incidents.

Police officials said Special Task Force had found a second grenade inside the prison in Batticaloa after the explosion.

Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry said the Tamil Tigers had mobilised all available forces to protect its northern base.

The military on Friday acknowledged the death of only one soldier.