Military says six killed in clashes in Sri Lanka's volatile east

Five Tamil Tiger rebels and a civilian were killed Thursday in separate incidents in Sri Lanka's volatile east, police and military officials said.

Five guerrillas were killed and seven others wounded in a pre-dawn attack by a breakaway faction of the mainstream rebel group in Kangikudichiaru, about 250 kilometers (125 miles) east of the capital, Colombo, said military spokesman Brig. Daya Ratnayake, citing an intercepted rebel communication.