Colombo: At least six Sri Lankan soldiers were killed and 11 others injured when a bomb suspected to have been planted by Tamil Tiger rebels exploded along the de facto frontline in northern peninsula of Jaffna on Saturday.
The soldiers were clearing their bunker lines at Muhamalai when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off, killing six of them on-the-spot, military officials said.
They said 11 soldiers were also injured and evacuated to a military hospital at Palaly, further north in the peninsula.
The IED was suspected to have been left by the rebels.
The incident came as the Red Cross prepared to evacuate over 100 foreign nationals and aid workers trapped in Jaffna since heavy fighting broke out there between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels over two weeks ago.
However, the main thrust of face-to-face fighting had died down, the crucial access road to the peninsula still remained closed.
A cargo ship carrying food and medicines had already reached Jaffna on Friday and was currently unloading supplies.
Comments
0 comment