Eight soldiers were killed and many more injured in the offensive

An army spokesman said at least forty more soldiers were wounded during exchanges of artillery and mortar fire with rebels.

The spokesman said government troops were moving towards Sampoor --an area overlooking Trincomalee harbour which has been used by the rebels to shell a nearby naval base and to attack military convoys.

35 injured

At least 35 wounded soldiers have been admitted to Polonnaruwa hospital.

Hospital sources said ten seriously injured were airlifted to Colombo.

An injured soldier, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told journalist Indumathi Jayasena that they launched an operation near Sampoor Forward Defence Line (FDA).

But they could not reach the FDA as Tigers retaliated, he added.

Mortar attacks

Hospital sources said the wounded did not have gunshot injuries; most of the injuries were caused by mortar attacks.

	LTTE says three cadres were killed and five injured in the attack

Injured soldiers werebeing brought to the hospital by helicopters since 9am SLT, the journalist told bbcsinhala.com.

Trincomalee district LTTE political wing leader Elilan told BBC Tamil Service that three LTTE cadres were killed and five sustained injuries in the fighting.

LTTE military spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan told BBC Sandeshaya that the Sri Lanka military launched a mass scale ground troops operation since 3am on Monday.

'Mass scale' operation

Sri Lanka Navy sailors are attacking Ilakkandai from sea, he said.

The military is attacking the LTTE positions from three points according to the LTTE: from Thoppur, Pachchanoor and Mahindapura.

The spokesman said the attack from Mahindapura was later abandoned.

The military have advanced toe the FDA from Thoppur and Pachchanoor. A pitched battle is still underway in Thoppur and Kilathimunai, according to the LTTE.

Ilanthiran said the Tigers were not aware of the casualty figures of the Sri Lanka military.

He added that due to multi barrel rocket launch attacks and air raids 20 civillians killed 26 injured in Patalipuram.

On Sunday, seven Sri Lanka Army soldiers (SLA) have sustained injuries in Trincomalee district in an attack on a military convoy.

The SLA said seven soldiers were wounded in an attack by the LTTE on an envoy in Selvanagar, near Mutur.