Sri Lankan rebels and troops fight fierce battle in north of country

Tamil Tiger fighters and government troops fought a fierce battle with tanks, mortars and artillery in northern Sri Lanka early Wednesday, hours after the guerrillas accused undercover government forces of killing 18 civilians in a roadside bombing.

The fighting was the latest eruption of violence since the government announced it was pulling out of a 2002 cease-fire _ long ignored by both sides _ earlier this month.

Early Wednesday morning, government forces based in the northern Jaffna peninsula crossed the front lines into rebel-held territory to the south and attacked 35 Tamil Tiger bunkers, military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said.

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