At least 13 Tamil Tiger rebels were killed in fierce gun battles with Sri Lankan troops in the north of the island nation, the Defence Ministry on Sunday.

It said members of the elite Special Forces attacked Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam formations in the northern district of Vavuniya on Saturday, killing 11 in one place and two in another.

'Two LTTE terrorists were killed initially attempting to infiltrate the defence lines', the ministry said in a statement.

'Later, the elite forces engaged a large column of terrorists between Madhu and Omantai, when they tried to enter
the liberated areas', it said, adding 11 rebels were killed in this incident.

There was no immediate word from the Tamil Tigers. 

However, the privately-run Sunday Times newspaper alleged on Sunday that military figures for rebel casualties were highly exaggerated.

'Adding statistics of claimed guerrilla deaths as well as injuries in the recent months would have surpassed the numbers the military top brass give as the total strength of the LTTE', said the report.