Speaking to the BBC Sinhala Service, Military spokesman brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said the attacks were aimed at specific targets.

“We carried out the attacks in the morning to a target East of Killinochchi. Our intelligence reports told us about a gathering of Tamil Tiger leaders in a place. We have reports to say the aerial strike was successful”. Said the spokesman.

But the spokesman could not give any details of the damage. “Still we are not able to reveal the identity of the leaders or the extent of the damage”.

Civilians wounded

Tamil Tigers say the air attacks damaged civilian property and wounded two villagers.

Brigadier Samarasinghe denied the Tamil Tiger claims of damages to civilians.

Villager from Thiruvaiyaaru near Killinochchi, Shanmuganathan Siva told the BBC that his home was damaged by the bombing. "The first attack came while I was working in the garden. I ran towards the bunker to protect my self and my mother. Then another bomb fell near us wounding me".

He was speaking to reporters while being treated at Killinochchi hospital. He said three houses in the village were hit by the bombs.

Military spokesman said the Air Force never target civilians in their efforts to attack specific rebel positions.