Fierce fighting on Thursday continued in the areas South of Adampan, West and South of Iranamadu and Nivil taking heavy toll on the LTTE.

Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said a large numbers of Tiger cadres were killed in trying to thwart the troop’s thrust into the last bastions of the LTTE in Kilinochchci and Mullaitivu.

The depleted LTTE in their bid to delay the troops entering its strongholds, have lost at least 150 cadres with over 350 injured during the last few days.

Army also lost about 60 soldiers and 250 wounded during the same period military sources said.

The ICRC yesterday in Omanthai handed over 25 bodies of the soldiers who were killed to the army Nanayakkara said.

"In Kumulmunai, the troops extended its defence line further and in a subsequent search operation two bodies of Tiger cadres were recovered with a T-56 assault rifle.

Troops also recovered two tractors and a trailer and a 90cc Honda motorcycle," he said.

In the village Ampakamam, the village troops captured two days ago, 81 motar shell and five hand grenades were recovered.