YAOUNDE, May 10 (Xinhua) -- The Chadian government on Saturday denied allegations of involvement in the attack by Darfur rebels on the Sudanese capital Khartoum, according to reports reaching here.

    The Chadian government "denies any involvement in this adventure, which it condemns unreservedly," government spokesman Mahamat Hissene said in a statement released in the Chadian capital N'Djamena.

    The Chadian government is "surprised" by claims by Sudanese television of Chad's supposed support for the attackers, Hissene said.

    The Sudanese government confirmed earlier fighting took place Saturday in Khartoum between government forces and rebels of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) from the restive western region of Darfur. The infiltration attempt by the JEM rebels had been crushed by Sudanese government troops.

    The JEM, led by Khalil Ibrahim, is believed to have the most powerful rebel forces among some two dozens of rebel groups in Darfur, which has been plagued by an armed conflict for five years.

    The Sudanese government has repeatedly accused the Chadian government of providing support and assistance to the rebel movements in Darfur, but the accusation has been denied by N'Djamena.