41.   An airforce helicopter gun ship, co-piloted by a Russian, crashed Wednesday during a raid against Tamil Tiger guerrillas in northeastern Sri Lanka, defence sources here said.

42.   And defence sources said the military fully supported the elections to restore its image as a national force, instead of being tainted by links to political parties.

43.   Another two rebels were killed after they clashed with security personnel in the western Lamjung district on Tuesday, a defence ministry source said.

44.   At least four rebels and nine government sailors were killed in the battle at Chundikkulam, better known for a bird sanctuary, defence sources said.

45.   But defence sources said large numbers of them remained at large, although some were gradually returning to their barracks.

46.   British special forces are leading a hunt in southern Afghanistan for Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, a newpaper reported here Wednesday, citing defence sources.

47.   But all the Hercules -- New Zealand has five -- are currently committed and freeing one would be regarded as a generous commitment, a defence source said.

48.   But defence sources earlier said that he stepped down after the military withdrew its support to his crises-ridden government.

49.   But the Russian defence ministry source suggested to Interfax that the US side was ready to compromise.

50.   Canberra has a standing agreement to help maintain the existing Indonesian fleet of Nomads, with three Australian engineers already based in Surabaya, the defence source said.