Over 26 Tamil Tiger rebels and one soldier were killed in fresh clashes between government troops and the guerrillas in the restive northern Sri Lanka [Images], the military said on Monday.

During a pre-emptive strike launched at Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam positions ahead of Muhamalai forward defence line in Jaffna on Sunday the troops destroyed an LTTE bunker, killing three rebels, the Army said.

At Vilathikulam in Vavuniya district, the Sri Lankan Army repulsed two successive LTTE offensive bids, killing at least seven Tigers last evening, security sources said.

No casualties were reported among the troops.

SLA sources said four rebels were killed at the general area of Uyilankulam in Mannar on Sunday when troops attacked and destroyed an LTTE bunker in the morning.

The army destroyed another LTTE bunker at Adampan area of Mannar, killing five rebels.

According to delayed reports, at least seven Tigers were killed and a dozen others wounded during intermittent clashes at northern and Wanni defence lines on Friday.

Among them, one LTTE rebel was killed in Nagarkovil in Jaffna, two in Kattaiamadapan, one at Pallankulam and three rebels gunned down in Parappakandal, the Army said.

One armyman was killed in clashes in Pallankulam and another injured in Kattaiamadapan.

In Vavuniya, two Sri Lankan soldiers were injured in anti-personnel mine explosions at Thampanai and Periyathmapanai on Sunday, security sources said.

The LTTE has been fighting since 1983 for an independent homeland for minority Tamils. More than 70,000 people have died in the conflict.

Fighting has flared in the recent weeks across the de facto front lines in northern Sri Lanka.