Rebels claim killing 43 Sri Lankan soldiers

A pro-rebel Web site reported on Monday that the Tamil Tiger insurgents had killed 43 Sri Lankan soldiers in a fierce clash in the island's north. Pro-rebel TamilNet Web site quoted unnamed rebel officials as saying that the soldiers were killed Sunday in a clash in Nalloor village of the rebel-held Kilinochchi district. Lakshman Hulugalle, the chief of the government's security information center, declined to comment, saying that the government would not react to pro-rebel news reports.