COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- The Sri Lankan military said Thursday its forces have killed at least 18 Tamil Tiger rebels while repulsing a counter-attack in a northern area.
Army officials said the attack in Sri Lanka's Chinnaparanthan area was focused around the Tigers' unofficial headquarters, the city of Kilinochchi, the Press Trust of India said.
Officials said the bodies of four additional rebels were also found in Kilinochchi and Akkarayankulam. The bodies were reportedly found with multiple pieces of weaponry.
The counter-attack took place in the wake of a request by Sri Lankan bishops for a cease-fire during the Christmas holiday.
Wednesday's request by the religious leaders was followed by an aerial military strike that night of two suspected rebel sites in Kilinochchi, the air force confirmed.
The air force told PTI the military strikes targeted cadres and heavy vehicles operating at a construction site in the de facto rebel capital.
