COLOMBO, June 14, 2006 (AFP) - Tamil Tigers clashed with Sri Lankan soldiers who were laying mines deep within rebel territory, killing at least one trooper but losing two of their own, a pro-rebel website said Wednesday.

An auxiliary unit of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tuesday confronted the Sri Lankan military personnel who had infiltrated guerrilla-held territory in the island's north, the Tamilnet said.

"Two Tamil auxiliaries and an Sri Lanka army soldier were killed when both exchanged gunfire," it reported. "At least one bag marked 'SLA' (Sri Lanka army) was recovered from the attackers."

Tamilnet said the soldiers were members of the army's Deep Penetration Unit and had been laying three Claymore mines when they were surprised by the rebels.

There was no immediate reaction from the military to the Tamilnet report which came as a team of LTTE leaders returned to the island Wednesday after abortive talks in Oslo with Sri Lankan government officials.

The rebels refused to sit at the table with a Sri Lankan delegation for what had been billed as two days of talks to discuss ways to ensure the safety of Scandinavians monitoring a troubled truce between the two sides.

Both the government and the Tigers have accused each other of breaking the ceasefire and stepping up attacks.

At least 690 people have been killed in clashes since December despite the truce, which the monitors say now exists on paper only.

More than 60,000 people have been killed in the island's drawn out Tamil separatist conflict since 1972.

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