Civilians killed in mine

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 December 1997, 23:59 GMT]
Three civilians were killed when the tractor in which they were travelling hit a pressure mine in Vellanai, in Jaffna. The explosion occurred yesterday, around 3.30 p.m., when the tractor was in Munangu area, where Sri Lankan Army vacated its camp sometimes back.

Sources said the pressure mine was one left behind by the SLA, when they vacated the camp.

The driver, identified as Ponnaiah Saminathan, 52, and other person identified as Mayalagan, 40, were killed on the spot.

The third person identified as Iyathurai Thanjayan, 45 died latter when he was brought to the Jaffna Hospital.