Myanmar fighting Indian rebels

Soldiers from Myanmar and rebels from a faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, which is fighting for a tribal homeland in India, have been locked in gunbattles in a jungle border region since Sunday, senior rebel leader Kughalo Mulatonu told AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location.

"A gunbattle is on between our fighters and Myanmar soldiers although there are no casualties on our side so far," Mulatonu said.

He said three rebels were captured by Myanmar soldiers.

Mulatonu said a brigade (3,500 soldiers) was involved in the operation in military-run Myanmar's northern Sagaing district against at least 50 camps with some 7,000 guerrilla fighters entrenched in fortified bunkers.