COLOMBO, Sept 15: Sri Lankan soldiers pushed into rebel-held territory in the embattled northern region Monday after a battle that killed 18 Tamil rebels and three soldiers, the military said.

In the latest offensive, army troops advanced about six kilometres into the territory held by the rebels in the Akkarayankulam area in the Kilinochchi district, said military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara.

He said the battle that raged for several hours killed 18 rebels and three soldiers. Another nine soldiers were wounded, he said.

Separately, fighting on Sunday along the northern front lines killed 20 rebels and one soldier, said a military statement.

With most of the lines of communication to the north cut, it was not possible to reach rebel officials for comments. It is difficult to verify reports released by either side because journalists are banned from the war zone.

The Tamil Tiger rebels have fought for an independent state in the north and east of the Indian ocean island since 1983. More than 70,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

Fighting in Sri Lanka’s civil war has escalated in recent months, with the military capturing a series of rebel bases and large chunks of territory. Officials have reiterated a pledge to crush the rebels by the end of the year.

The violence has forced about 160,000 people to leave their homes. A government order this week to all relief groups and UN aid agencies to leave the war zone for their safety has raised fears that the plight of displaced civilians could become worse.

—AP