COLOMBO, Sept 8: Tamil guerillas ambushed and killed five soldiers, raising to nine the death toll in embattled northeastern Srl Lanka. a military spokesman here said today, reports AFP.

Four soldiers died instantly when a surface mine planted by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) blew up the army jeep in Mannar district Saturday, the spokesman said. One more wounded soldier died in hospital Sunday.

The spokesman said troops today continued a hunt for LTTE guerillas in the coastal region as ground troops in northeast Mullaitivu region continued to consolidate in areas captured from the rebels.

Military officials said security forces were preparing to advance deep Inside LTTE-held territory