Colombo (PTI): There are strong indications that elusive LTTE Supremo V Prabhakaran was injured, Sri Lankan Army Chief Sarath Fonseka has said claiming that the military had reduced the rebel strength to half.

"We have a strong feeling that he is injured and nothing much is known about him after he paid homage to (political advisor) Anton Balasingham on December 14," the General told foreign journalists on Friday.

Fosenka said that unlike on other occasions when reports of the 53-year-old LTTE chief being killed proved to be false, inteligence reports were this time expressing doubts about his being "fully fit" and the morale of the Tamil Tigers too appeared to be shaken.

"We have weakened the LTTE by 50 per cent or more and we are confident we can go that extra mile this year," Fosenka said, adding he wanted to "finish" the task before he retires by the end of this year.

Earlier reports had claimed that the underground bunker where Prabhakaran was hiding during a Nov 26 air raid was partially destroyed injuring him.

The LTTE, however, had denied reports that its chief was injured in the attack.

"We have received reports that Prabhakaran may not be fully fit and that is the reason for his staying indoors," Fonseka said.

When reminded of a similar rumour after the 2004 Tsunami, Fonseka said though at that time there were reports of Prabhakaran's death, "our intelligence had stated that he was alive.But this is not the case this time. My intelligence says there are doubts about his being fully fit."

The General said that during the latest encounters, the army could feel that the morale of LTTE cadres was shaken.

"We recently found two bodies of young girls who died fighting for LTTE in Wanni when it is at a crucial stage. This has raised suspicion that the LTTE is also facing a shortage of fighters," Fonsenka said.

Fonseka said he would desire to "fully deal" with the LTTE problem before he retired by the end of 2008.

"I don't want to pass on this task to my successor and would like to finish it before I retire by the end of this year," he said.

Referring to LTTE's statement asking the government to restore the 2002 ceasefire, the General said "you can hear of more such statements by LTTE. Now the LTTE wants us to continue with CFA."