Soldier killed in Pettah claymore blast

Six others injured

Rafik Jalaldeen and Mohammed Naalir

COLOMBO: One soldier was killed and six others including three civilians injured when the LTTE detonated a claymore mine targeting an Army bus in Reclamation Road, Pettah.

The bus was taking soldiers relieved from their duties on guard points to Mattakkuliya army camp when it was caught up in the claymore explosion around 8.55 a.m.

“One soldier succumbed to his injuries at the hospital and another is in critical condition,” Military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said. Only four soldiers were inside the bus.

According to Brigadier Samarasinghe the claymore mine was detonated using a remote control device.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that the claymore mine was fixed into a parked motorcycle. Government Analysts also found a few components of the bike in the bus,” the Brigadier told the Daily News.

The wall of the building also was damaged due to the explosion as the motorcycle was parked near the building, he added.

The Army bus was on its daily routine to transport soldiers to provide security in Colombo. “Normally more soldiers are carried in the bus unlike today,” a spokesman from the Media Centre for National Security said.

Security Forces conducted a search operation in the area following the incident. “We have questioned several persons regarding the incident but no one was arrested,” Senior DIG N.K. Illangakoon said.

Though it was initially suspected that the explosion was caused by a suicide cadre on a motorcycle, it has now been revealed that explosion was caused by a claymore mine fixed to a motorcycle parked on the pavement near the building.

The explosion took place close to the main gate of the Colombo Port near Wimaladharma roundabout, Pettah.

An Army officer at the scene told the Daily News that the Army bus frequently used the same route to transport soldiers from the Sri Lanka National Guard Army camp in Mattakkuliya for security duties at the Presidential Secretariat and the Army Headquarters.

Two motor cycles parked close to the site of the explosion, and a civilian car which was ahead of the bus were also damaged in the explosion.

According to Director, National Hospital Colombo Dr. Hector Weerasinghe, seven including four Army personnel and three civilians with injuries have been admitted for treatment in the emergency unit. He said the staff was kept ready to treat any more casualties.

The road was temporarily closed after the claymore explosion.