JOIN USAccording to police, suspected LTTE cadres attacked the Vavuniya special police unit when they attempted to search a vehicle during combing operations at Nelukulam.
Three rebels were killed in the encounter that ensued after police fired in retaliation, they said adding the bodies have been kept at the Vavuniya hospital morgue.
Sri Lankan soldiers, now engaged in a massive clearing operation in the former LTTE hideouts in Wanni, continue to uncover large stocks of arms and ammunition dumped by the LTTE, defence sources said.
The clearing operation was stepped up after the elimination of the LTTE from the Sri Lankan soil in order to make the areas safe for the resettlement of civilians, the army said in a statement.
Quoting sources, it said troops uncovered stocks of mortar bombs and Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs in the region.
Besides, the army also recovered ammunition, hand grenades, land mines, claymore and explosives from Visvamadu, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Mullaittivu and Vellamullivaikkal areas on Wednesday.