Colombo (PTI): At least 76 Tamil Tigers and three soldiers were killed in fierce clashes in Sri Lanka's embattled northern region as a fighter aircraft bombed an LTTE leader's base in the rebel-stronghold of Mannar, officials here said on Sunday.

The Air Force jet pounded the LTTE's Mannar area leader's camp in Parappukkandantan and "the target was successfully engaged," the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said.

In ground clashes, 11 LTTE rebels were killed in Koilmadu, two each in Sulanmarathumadu and Navathkulamand, and three others in Periyapandivirchchan area of Vavuniya yesterday.

Separately, eight LTTE cadres were killed in Kallikulam and four in Perankulam area of Mannar yesterday, the Defence Ministry said.

Seven more rebels were killed in Palamodai area of Mannar in fierce clashes with security forces yesterday, the MCNS said, adding four guerrillas were gunned down by troops at Perakamam.

In clashes in Jaffna, at least six LTTE rebels were killed yesterday, it said.

Seven Tamil Tigers and a soldier lost their lives in a confrontation in the general area of Mullikulam yesterday, the Defence Ministry said.

In the Mannar front, troops launched an attack targeting a tractor carrying Tiger rebels yesterday, killing two LTTE cadres and destroying the vehicle, it said.

In Adampan area of Mannar, army snipers gunned down five LTTE rebels in two separate incidents yesterday, the MCNS said.

A soldier was killed and two others injured in separate incidents in Perankamam and Adampan areas of Mannar yesterday.

In the northeastern Welioya front, troops launched a pre-emptive attack targeting LTTE bunker defences in general area of Mankindamalai, killing five rebels yesterday. A soldier was also killed and four injured during this clash.

In Andankulam area of Mannar, troops captured an LTTE stronghold following a heavy fighting yesterday which left six rebels killed and as many soldiers injured, the Defence Ministry said.

In another incident in the same area, troops killed five rebels yesterday, the ministry said, adding three soldiers also received injuries.