Colombo, January 13:

Sri Lankan troops have captured more territory from Tamil Tigers in fierce battles around the rebels’ last stronghold in the northeast of the island, the defence ministry said today.

Heavy fighting was reported around guerrilla-controlled Mullaittivu district yesterday, with troops seizing a rebel administration base, a training camp and a bunker line.

LTTE accused government forces of shelling internally displaced people, killing a civilian and wounding four others. The Tigers said a shell had also hit a hospital building and two people there sustained minor injuries.