Suicide explosion in Jaffna kills four civilians

Colombo, Jan 31 (UNI) At least four civilians were killed and two seriously wounded, when a suspected LTTE suicide cadre blew himself up in the heart of the heavily-guarded Northern Jaffna peninsula today, defence sources here said.

''The LTTE suicide cadre riding a motorbike appeared to have exploded himself 'prematurely' near a crowded market place at Thirunelveli near the Jaffna town around 1130 hrs this morning, killing four civilians in the vicinity,'' Military Spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara told UNI over phone.

The military spokesman said the investigation was immediately started to probe the blast. There was no immediate reaction from the rebels in this regard.

Security arrangements throughout the island nation, mainly in and around the capital city of Colombo have been stepped up ahead of the 60th Independence Day celebration on February 4.

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