Sri Lankan forces used MI-24 Helicopters gunships to attack LTTE bunkers and fortified positions at Thannimuruppukulam on the outskirts of the key town of Mullaittivu. The bunkers are part of defensive perimeter created by the tigers to ward off threats to their nerve centres.

The helicopter gunships attack was in support of the ground forces of the Lankan army's 59 division which is spearheading the assault on the LTTE strongholds.

As many as seven LTTE cadres were killed by troops in four different confrontations in Palamodei North in Vavuniya district on Friday, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said.

Another five were killed and an equal number injured in confrontations in Andankulam in North-east Welioya on Friday, the MCNS said.

Separately, the troops captured a LTTE bunker after killing one tiger cadre at Kiriibbanwewa in Welioya on Friday, the military said.

Two other tiger rebels were killed in separate confrontations in Welioya by troops.

Troops captured an LTTE bunker, one communicative trench line, one Tiger mortar location, two hand grenades, one hundred and fifty T-56 ammunition and 550 MPMG ammunition after clashes, the army said.