2ND LEAD (UPDATE)

4 NEIAP officials wounded in DPU Claymore attack

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 July 2006, 10:20 GMT]
Three officials of World Bank funded North-East Irrigated Agriculture Project (NEIAP) and the driver of their pickup vehicle, belonging to Mannar District Secretariat, were wounded in a Claymore carried out by the Sri Lanka Army Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) attackers in Kokupadaiyan, 28 km southeast of Mannar town, Thursday around 2:45 p.m. The incident took place on Slivathurai - Mullikulam Road between Kallaru and Kokkupadaiyan, civilian sources said. The officials escaped with minor wounds, medical sources said.

The vehicle was heavily damaged in the attack, but the officials narrowly escaped from serious wounds.

A civilian motorcycle rider narrowly escaped from another Claymore explosion that took place 200 meters from the spot, the sources further said.

The motorcylist speeded up after the first blast and narrowly escaped from the attack that targeted his bike.

A lady officer was among the wounded, who were returning Mullikulam, according to initial reports.

An Ambulance was sent from Murunkan District Hospital. Additional Government Agent of Mannar rushed to the hospital, District Secretariat sources in Mannar said.

Sri Lankan DPU teams have been active in the area targeting LTTE cadres.

3 civilians were killed in a Claymore attack by a DPU team in the area 20 days ago.