Tuesday, June 13 2006 10:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: At least 21 people were killed and 20 others injured in mine attacks carried out by Government forces in the island's embattled north-east during the past six days, Tamil Tiger rebels have claimed.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said government troops infiltrated areas held by the guerrillas and staged the devastating attacks, a claim rejected by the military.

However, there had been several reports of Claymore mine attacks in areas held by the Tigers.

Both sides had stepped up attacks and counter attacks in the past six months during which at least 680 people have been killed despite a truce that is in place since February 2002.

A Government soldier was killed today in a mine attack the military blamed on the Tiger rebels.