Tamil Tiger rebels have suffered deaths and injuries in clashes with the government troops, defense officials said Monday.

At least two Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres were killed at Vantharumulai area in the eastern district of Batticaloa.

The Army retaliated when the rebels attacked a foot patrol at around 10 p.m. local time Sunday (1630 GMT). The two bodies of the rebels were found in the subsequent search operation, the military said.

Defense officials also added that rebel radio communications monitored on Sunday had revealed a large number of LTTE casualties in the eastern Vakarai area.

This was after the military had attacked with long range weapons a movement of some 250 LTTE cadres in Vakarai following a tip off. There was no response from the rebels on the number of casualties.

Also on Sunday the LTTE attacked the Army with small arms at Maduvil in the northern Jaffna peninsula. There are no reports of any casualties, officials said.

The on going violence in the conflict is despite international appeals on both sides to resume the Norwegian backed direct negotiations.

Source: Xinhua