At least 42 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam cadres and one soldier were killed in running gun battles between the rebels and security forces in the embattled Northern Sri Lanka [Images], the army said on Thursday.

Security forces gunned down seven Tiger cadres in Vavuniya on Wednesday while two others were killed in a separate incident at Nagarkovil in Jaffna, the defence ministry said.

Separately, troops killed at least 12 LTTE cadres on Wednesday in fierce clashes in Karamoddai and Puthukkamam in North western Mannar, the army said.
 
As many as 12 Tiger rebels were also shot dead in Janakapura, Kokkuthuduwai and Pulmodai in Welioya on Wednesday, it said, adding that two tiger rebels were gunned down in Vedamakulam in Vavuniya.

In another incident, troops recovered 20 anti-personnel mines and five hand grenades during a search operation conducted in Panichchamadu, it said.

In Vavuniya, troops have removed 88 AP mines, and recovered a haul of arms and  ammunitions during a search operation, the defence ministry said.

One soldier was killed and three others injured in a clash with the rebels in Vavuniya, on Wednesday, the military said.

In the Mannar battle front, troops killed five LTTE militants and injured three others, the defence ministry said, adding that two soldiers were also injured in the same area due to a bomb explosion.

In a separate incident, two LTTE rebels were killed and five others injured in confrontations on Wednesday in North-eastern Welioya.

Troops also recovered 68 AP mines and 11 IEDs (Integrated Explosive Device) during a separate search operations conducted in north of Janakapura and Kokkuthuduvai in Welioya.

The clashes in Welioya yesterday also caused injuries to 24 Tiger militants, the army said.