COLOMBO, Dec 9: At least 45 people, including 15 civilians, were killed in heavy fighting between government troops and Tamil Tigers in northeastern Sri Lanka on Saturday, the guerillas said.

The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said they killed at least 30 Sri Lankan troops and recovered the bodies of five during heavy fighting in Trincomalee district.

“We have killed 30 Sri Lankan soldiers, including two officers and recovered five bodies,” LTTE spokesman Rasiah Ilanthiriyan said. “Shelling by security forces have also killed 15 civilians. Many more are injured.”

He said seven Tiger rebels were wounded in the long-range attacks.

There was no immediate reaction from the military to the rebel claims, but the defence ministry said six security personnel were wounded in the clashes.--AFP