At least 46 people were killed in the clashes between the Chadian government forces and unidentified horsemen in the east of Chad on Monday, reports from Chad's western city of N'djamena said.

The Chadian government said in a statement on Tuesday that a group of gunmen from neighboring Sudan launched sudden attacks on the eastern Ouaddai region. They killed at least 36 citizens, mostly herders, and tried to take away several heads of cattle.

The Chadian military fought back swiftly, shot eight horsemen to death and captured seven people. Two Chadian soldiers were killed and five wounded in the clashes.

The Chadian mopping up operation was still going on, said the statement. The authorities have sent a delegation to the east region for full investigation.

They also summoned Sudanese ambassador and urged Sudan to take all necessary measures to ensure border security.

(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2005)