Striking from air and land, Sri Lankan forces captured another key Tamil Tiger bastion Ampakamam village as heavy fighting was reported to have erupted at more than 12 places in the country's northern war zone.

Overcoming stiff resistance from Tigers, the Lankan forces stormed into the strategic village after hours of heavy fighting under a barrage of air and artillery bombardment, Defence Ministry sources said here.

After the battle, troops recovered four LTTE [Images] bodies from the village which falls in the Mullaittivu sector.

"Troops of the Task Force-3 now operating north of Olumadu entered the Ampakamam village after hours of heavy fighting with LTTE this morning," the ministry said.

Ampakamam is said to be a main administrative hub of LTTE, located approximately seven kms north of Olumadu, in the Mullaittivu district.

Defence observers pointed out that the capture of Ampakamam could prove vital for Sri Lankan forces' entry into the strategic coastal town of Mullaittivu.

LTTE was using the village as a command hub to control large areas in the Mullaittivu battle theatre.

Sri Lankan air-force fighters also bombed a number of areas in Kilinochichi and Jaffna as its ground troops were locked in fierce fighting to wrest the de-facto administrative capital of the Tigers.