COLOMBO, Sept 1: A new offensive was launched on Saturday against northern bases of the Tamil Tiger rebels, military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said as the guerillas claimed eight civilian deaths.

The offensive was begun in north western Mannar in a bid to capture rebel strongholds in the area, military sources said. The renewal in fighting comes nearly two months after troops captured eastern territory controlled by the LTTE.

“We have freed the east from the clutches of terrorism. Now it is time to free the north”, Brigadier Samarasinghe said, adding that nearly 11 LTTE cadres were killed in the offensive.

However, in a statement on the pro rebel website, Tamil Net, the LTTE claimed eight civilians were killed and six children injured in a claymore mine attack in Mannar, which the rebels blamed on the army.

The military spokesman denied that the fresh offensive targeted civilians, blaming the guerillas of carrying out a campaign to tarnish the image of the military.