Five killed in blast in rebel-held northern SL

At least five people are killed in a powerful roadside bomb blast inside rebel-held territory in Sri Lanka.

At least five people were on Tuesday killed in a powerful roadside bomb blast inside rebel-held territory in Sri Lanka, which the Tamil Tigers blamed on government forces.

HT Image

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) claimed the blast was set off by a unit of the Sri Lanka army, which entered Mankulam, about 35 kms from the de facto front line separating the two sides.

The Tigers said the victims were travelling in a vehicle when they were hit.

"The vehicle belongs to the Tamil Eelam Health Services and a team of medical unit comprising LTTE members and civilians in the vehicle were on their way to a civil clinical service," the Tigers said.