SRI LANKA ? The Sri Lankan military said Friday that soldiers captured a strategic Tamil Tiger rebel enclave in the volatile east as intensified fighting forced thousands of Tamil civilians to flee from the area.

“Forces have gained complete control over Vaharai, which was under the control of Tamil Tigers,” said military spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe. Vaharai is in the eastern Batticaloa district, the scene of heavy fighting between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels over the last few weeks.

“Vaharai is one of the strategic point for both sides,” said Samarasinghe, adding that insurgents were now firing artillery at soldiers from pockets in the area. “We will clear those pockets also.”