Mar 08, Colombo: Hundreds more Tamil civilians have crossed the front lines in the Mullaitivu District's war zone and reached Army controlled areas, the military said today.

A group of 45 civilians from uncleared areas of Mullaitivu reached the troops at the Puthukkudyiruppu East defence line Sunday (08) morning, Defence Ministry reported.

The rebels have fired upon the fleeing group and a 17-year old girl was injured. Following emergency medical treatment by the soldiers, the girl was sent to a hospital while the others were given refreshments and directed to the nearest IDP welfare village, defence reports said.

On Saturday (07), about 485 men, woman and children escaped from the rebel controlled areas and reached the defence lines at Munani, Champianpattu, Vettalaikeni and Chundikulam and sought protection from the Army.

The Tiger rebels are accused of using civilians trapped by the fighting as human shields to delay the military offensive despite numerous appeals from foreign governments as well as from the United Nation.

The government says nearly 40,000 have escaped the war zone and now been sheltered in welfare villages while atoner 70,000 is trapped by the Tigers. Aid agencies however estimate that there is another 150,000 trapped in the government declared Safe Zone.