Rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector said on Sunday that they had attacked a Sudanese army base and killed eight soldiers, but the army denied it.
"The forces of the SPLM/northern sector in Blue Nile State on Sunday attacked Gabanet garrison," killing eight government soldiers while four members of the group were slightly injured, according the group's statement. "The government forces fled into Damazin town," capital of the state.
The Sudanese army, however, denied the casualties, saying there were just "gunshots" at "an outside army position," and "not a single soldier was injured." The army said the security was now stable and the positions under complete control.
The SPLM/northern sector has been fighting the Sudanese army in South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas since 2011.
In November last year, Sudan's defense minister declared a major military campaign to end the rebellion in Sudan's Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan regions.