HARTOUM: Two people were killed and eight wounded as suspected rebels shelled the capital of Sudan's war-torn South Kordofan state on Friday, residents said.

The attack struck the east of Kadugli town at about 1:30 pm (1030 GMT), they said.

“Two shells hit an open area and three struck houses which burned to the ground. Two people were killed and eight injured,” said one resident, who witnessed the attack across from his own home.

Residents suspected the shells came from the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), but the rebels' spokesman said he did not yet have any information.

The shells crashed down as President Omar al-Bashir held talks in the South Sudanese capital Juba with his counterpart Salva Kiir in a symbol of easing tensions, particularly over the South's alleged support for SPLM-N rebels.