Damascus, Aug 20 (IANS): At least five people were killed and 18 wounded Tuesday in a renewed mortar shelling against a central Syrian town, state media reported.

The victims were killed and injured when the rebels fired mortar shells against Qamhaneh town in the northern countryside of Hama province, Xinhua reported citing SANA agency, adding three civilians were killed overnight when an armed rebels had attempted to sneak into Qubaibat town also in the northern countryside of Hama.

The locals of the town with the help of the Syrian army managed to confront the sneaking rebel group, forcing its members to retreat, the report said.

Meanwhile, the opposition activists said that the Syrian air force raided positions of the rebels in the town of Um Khuraiseh near Qubaibat in Hama, succeeding to recapture the town that was a key stronghold for the radical rebel groups.

Syria has been gripped by deadly conflict since March 2011. Over 160,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced due to the violence.