Explosion at Kilinochchi scrap yard injures five

An explosion was reported around 4.00 pm at scrap iron collection yard at Thirumurukkandi in Killinochchi District, injuring five civilians - two males aged 52 and 53 and three females aged 25, 26 and 44 who had been in the vicinity.

The injured include several members of the family which collects scrap iron for sale. They have been transferred to the Kilinochchi General Hospital for treatment, says Military spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya.

Initial investigations have revealed that they had attempted to dismantle a pipe bomb which was an improvised explosive device that the LTTE had used against the security forces. Some more scrap and war-like material were recovered from the site of the explosion and are believed to have been collected by the same people.

Civilians have been advised through regular mine awareness programs not to handle unknown objects. Numerous improvised objects of this nature used against the security forces targets have been buried by the LTTE and in some cases as hidden underground arms/explosive caches for later use that they had thought would be possible.

Over a million explosive devices including scrap/war like objects of this nature have been recovered so far during de-mining. However some deeply buried caches could still remain in the north and the east. Civilians are strongly advised to refrain from handling any unidentifiable objects or material that they come across, warns the Military spokesman.

It is in their best interest to inform the nearest security forces camp or police station whenever they detect any scrap/war like material and allow the experts to handle them with adequate safety precautions, adds Military spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya.