LTTE Human bomb kills 28, injures 60

Rasika Somarathna

An LTTE woman suicide bomber mingling with a group of displaced civilians coming from uncleared areas blew herself up at Sugandirapuram, north of Visuamadu yesterday, killing 28 people and injuring more than 60 others.

Among the dead were eight civilians and 20 Security Forces’ personnel which included three female soldiers. Among the injured were 24 soldiers.

Initial reports said that the bomber who had come with around 1,000 displaced civilians from uncleared areas of Mullaitivu, had blown herself around 11.40 am, when a woman soldier had tried to body check her at a checkpoint prior to being taken to a transit welfare centre.

According to sources, several military personnel were among the dead including female soldiers.

A large number of civilians who had braved Tiger clutches to reach the Visuamadu area too were either injured or dead. Authorities said they had rushed medical units and ambulances to the area, and the injured had been taken to hospitals in Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Anuradhapura.

Meanwhile, the Director of Media Centre for National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle said that this was yet another desperate attempt by the LTTE to prevent thousands of displaced civilians from fleeing the uncleared areas.

He said that despite Tiger threats more than 12,000 civilians from uncleared areas had sought refuge with Government authorities during the last seven days.

Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara yesterday said that the LTTE’s strength is now reduced to 700 fighter cadres and the attack at Sugandirapuram shows the LTTE’s desperateness over mass exodus of civilians from the uncleared area.

Security Forces would take steps to enable these civilians trapped in the remaining uncleared pockets in Mullaitivu to reach safer environs, he added.