Colombo (PTI): At least 24 Tamil Tigers and two soldiers were killed in fierce clashes while a rebel training base was destroyed by Air Force jets on Friday in embattled northern Sri Lanka, where the guerrillas have occupied a historic church, the military said.

Three LTTE men who surrendered to Sri Lankan Army on Thursday have revealed that three bands of the Tiger cadres are at present occupying the premises of the 400-year-old Madhu church in north-western Mannar, the Defence Ministry said.

Defence sources in the rebel stronghold of Wanni said LTTE rebels have ordered the priests in the church to leave the premises with immediate effect.

The priests have shifted the sacred statue of 'Our Lady of Madhu' from the church apprehending escalation of the conflict, the sources said adding, civilians also started to flee the area.

"Earlier, LTTE had positioned its heavy mortar and artillery guns at close range to the church in order to take cover from the civilian refugees at the church," they said.

The Defence Ministry said the sacred area has been declared a "no-war zone" and that Sri Lankan security forces have spared it from military offensive. However, the LTTE on Thursday denied positioning arms around the church and accused the troops of initiating clashes within its premises.

Sri Lankan fighter jets on Friday pounded a rebel training camp in Pulopalai area at northern Muhamalai, officials said adding, the LTTE facility was completely destroyed due to the bombardment.