12 killed, 23 injured in SL suicide blast

At least 12 policemen were killed and 23 others injured when a motorcycle borne Tamil Tiger rebel blew himself up opposite the office of the SSP in Vavuniya town.

At least 12 police personnel were killed and 23 others injured when a motorcycle borne Tamil Tiger rebel blew himself up opposite the office of the senior superintendent of police (SSP) in Vavuniya town in northern Sri Lanka on Monday, the defence ministry said in a statement.

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Three women constables were among the 12 killed in the explosion that occurred around 7.10 am, the ministry said.

It added that 23 people, including 19 police personnel and four civilians, were injured and had been hospitalised.

"A school girl was among those injured," the statement said.

The suicide blast has taken place at a time when the government has opened many fronts in the northern Vavuniya and northwestern Mannar districts to help troops advance into the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held Wanni area.