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Sri Lanka claims 40 rebels killed

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- The Sri Lankan military said its security forces in campaigns Wednesday against Tamil Tigers killed 40 rebels and destroyed 30 bunkers.

There was no immediate response from the rebels on the latest incidents in the escalating violence in the northern region of the island nation where the military has been waging a relentless campaign in recent weeks with claims of dozens of rebels killed.

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In the latest fighting, the government said security forces destroyed the bunkers in Nagarkovil and Muhamalai areas.

Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said in the first clash, security forces attacked 35 bunkers, destroying 20 of them and killing 10 rebels. The report said several more militants were injured.

In another offensive, security forces destroyed 10 bunkers and killed 30 rebels, while seven of their soldiers were injured, the report said.

The Tamil Tigers have been fighting for decades for a separate homeland for the Tamil-speaking minority on the predominantly Buddhist island, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of people.

The issue has been further complicated by the government's decision this month to officially withdraw from the 2002 cease-fire agreement, brokered by Norway. Even when it was in force, both sides had been accused of ignoring the agreement in the past two years.

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