COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, September 23, SPA -- Air force jets pounded threerebel targets in northern Sri Lanka on Tuesday, followingscattered battles that killed 25 Tamil Tiger fighters, themilitary said. The new violence came amid weeks of escalating fighting asgovernment forces push deep into rebel-held territory andclose in on the Tamil Tigers' administrative capital in thetown of Kilinochchi. The military launched a series of airstrikes Tuesdayafternoon on gathering points for rebel fighters in theKilinochchi district, where much of the heaviest fightingwas taking place, the military said. Fighting in the district on Monday killed 17 rebels, whilebattles in the Welioya and Vavuniya regions killed eightothers, military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said. There were no reports of soldiers killed, the Associated Press reported.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/592692