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"LTTE targeted civilians"

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: A soldier was killed and two injured in a claymore explosion allegedly triggered by the Tamil Tigers in Jaffna on Sunday.

A military statement said the LTTE targeted an army foot patrol. "The LTTE terrorists taking cover inside the Pandathirippu Hindu School premises triggered the mine. The military said opposite the school, a large number of Tamil youth from all over Jaffna were taking part in an "open soft ball cricket tournament".

It said the LTTE had deliberately chosen the location.

"The presence of mind and professionalism displayed by the army troops averted a possible civilian tragedy. Defence analysts describe such strategies of LTTE terrorists as a mean of `last resort' to gather the dissolving public and media attention into the organisation," it said.

The military said 35 civilians were victimised due to the LTTE-triggered claymore mine attacks since April.

Over 50 civilians including children were seriously injured in the attacks.

TamilNet said the soldiers cordoned off the area following the blast and "beat the civilians".

The Tamil Tigers allegedly directed a mortar attack at a roadblock at Omanthai, Vavuniya, the army said.

"This attack by terrorists is aimed at the closure of the A9 route [and] will disturb the preparations for the New Year by civilians."

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