23 Tamil rebels killed in Sri Lanka fighting

Sri Lankan soldiers killed 23 Tamil Tiger rebels during fighting in eastern Sri Lanka, the military announced today.

The battle erupted while the soldiers were on an operation in Unnichchai village in the Batticaloa district, said military spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe.

Military officials recovered 10 bodies and were preparing to hand them over to the rebels through the International Committee of the Red Cross, Samarasinghe said.

Rebel officials could not be reached for comment.