At least 14 Tamil Tigers rebels have been killed and 12 injured in clashes between government troops and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels since Wednesday in Sri Lanka's northern Vavunia district, said the military on Thursday.

The Media Center for National Security (MCNS) said the clashes erupted Wednesday morning in East of Madhu as the LTTE fired mortars on the security forces and the later retaliated.

"The search operation and monitored communications indicate that the LTTE would have sustained severe casualties," said a statement of the MCNS.

The military also said the LTTE fired mortars at the Omanthai check point on Thursday, resulting in the closure of the check point and the withdrawal of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) representatives from the area.

Government troops and LTTE rebels are currently being locked in fierce battles in the island country's north and east.

More than 4,000 people have been killed since December 2005 despite a Norwegian-arranged truce in place.

The LTTE has been fighting for an independent homeland for Sri Lanka's 12.5 percent Tamil minority since the 1970s.

Source: Xinhua