A rebel-affiliated Web site says a pre-emptive strike against Sri Lankan troops has killed 60 soldiers close to the insurgents' northern headquarters, Associated Press reported. The Tamil Net Web site reports the guerrillas attacked soldiers preparing for an offensive Saturday in Iranamadu village, south of the rebels' de facto capital, Kilinochchi. It says the rebels forced the soldiers to abandon some recently captured territory. Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara says there were a «few» deaths but the army has beaten back the rebels.
