Tamil Rebels Kill Nine As They Carry Out Raids

Tamil Tiger rebels carried out several raids against the Sri Lankan military Wednesday, killing at least nine people including three government soldiers, the military said.

One airman and six rebels were killed when Tamil guerrillas attacked an air force camp in the eastern Trincomalee district, 142 miles northeast of Colombo, a military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Twelve airmen were wounded in the attack.

In a second incident, guerrillas infiltrated military-held areas in the northern Jaffna Peninsula and ambushed a military vehicle at Erlalai village, killing two soldiers, the official said.

There was no immediate confirmation of either attack from Tamil rebels.

Skirmishes have continued since the rebel capital of Jaffna fell on Dec. 5 after a 50-day assault by the military, driving the Tigers into the jungle.