Colombo - At least 10 sailors were injured in an airstrike by Tamil rebels on a north-east naval base adjoining a harbour, military officials said Wednesday.

Rebels dropped two bombs Tuesday night on the naval base in Trincomalee, 240 kilometres north-east of Colombo, from a low-flying air craft and escaped into rebel-held areas.

According to the navy only one of the bombs exploded.

"The bomb that has exploded has also failed to inflict considerable damages," according to a military statement.

Military officials believe that rebels were heading towards the harbour to bomb a vessel used to transport troops, but as troops had opened fire the aircraft had been forced to turn back.

The rebels are known to have at least two light air craft which they used in airstrikes on the capital last year.

The abortive attack in Trincomalee came as government troops continued to advance towards rebel held areas in the north. (dpa)