International   

7 killed in Sri Lankan train blast

— Photo: Reuters

Carnage: The body of a victim being taken out of the train in the Colombo suburb of Dehiwala on Monday.

COLOMBO: At least seven people were killed and 62 injured as a bomb exploded in a crowded passenger train on the outskirts of Colombo on Monday evening. The government blamed the LTTE for the carnage. However, there was no response from the Tigers.

As per the police, the explosion occurred in the fifth carriage of the train as it neared a station bordering Colombo.

Police suspect that it was a parcel bomb placed in the luggage rack. Many of the victims were office workers headed home.

Some of the injured were taken to the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital and National Hospital, Colombo, were stated to be in serious condition.

The explosion came a day after the police claimed to have defused three bombs planted allegedly by the LTTE in different parts of the nation.

Last week, the Tigers accused the Army’s “Deep Penetration Unit” of killing 16 members of a family travelling in a bus in a claymore blast. The military strongly denied the charge.

Separately, helicopter gunships launched what was termed as a close-support mission on the Mannar front on Monday. According to the Air Force, an “LTTE stronghold” located in general area Andankulam was the target.

Meanwhile, the military claimed that at least 21 LTTE cadres were killed and 18 wounded during counter-terrorist operations in the Wanni and northern battle theatres.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

7 killed in Sri Lankan train blast
Won’t open Gaza crossing: Olmert
Constitution approved: junta
Jindal silent on Vice-President ticket
European sumo champion
Swelling threat
Nepal readies for crucial meet

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu