The army attributed the killings to factional fighting within the LTTE.

The official added that this could be shelved unless Pakistan provides the US government with access to renegade nuclear scientist A Q Khan.

Denying any involvement, Army Chief Shantha Kottegoda asked the Tigers to produce proof.

Military sources here said Karuna's fighters could no longer engage the northern leadership of the LTTE as he had failed to secure any support from government forces who had remained neutral in the conflict.

'We have set up a special suicide squad that consists of 2,000 Taliban. This squad will make life a hell for the US, says Mullah Omar in an exclusive interview.

The faction controlled by renegade commander V Muralitharan alias Karuna fired mortars and small arms fire for nearly two hours across the Verugal river.

The Tamil rebel outfit, however, vowed to resolve differences with V Muralitharan without bloodbath.

Senior Pakistani officials told Financial Times that George Tenet discussed operations along the Afghan border to nab Osama bin Laden.