Vanni Van bombing

Vanni Van bombing
Location	Kilinochchi, Vanni, Sri Lanka
Date	May 23, 2008 14:15 (UTC+5:30)
Attack type	Remote bombing
Weapons	Claymore Mine
Deaths	16
Injured	19
Perpetrators	Sri Lankan Army

The Vanni Van bombing, also referred to as the Murukandy claymore attack, was the bombing of a private van on May 23, 2008 which killed sixteen civilians, including five children. A local Human rights organization, NESOHR alleged that the attack was carried out by the Deep Penetration Unit of the Sri Lankan army.

Background

There had been series of attacks on LTTE commanders and Tamil civilians living in the rebel controlled Vanni region allegedly by the Deep Penetration Unit of the Sri Lankan army

Incident

The incident took place when a private van was hit by a claymore mine when it was returning from the Akkaraayan hospital to Kilinochchi on Murikandy -Akkaraayan Road on the May 23, 2008 at 2.15 in the afternoon. The Pro-LTTE NESHOR claimed that the attack was carried out by the Deep Penetration Unit of the Sri Lankan army. Tamilnet, a pro-rebel news website, claimed that earlier in the same day an ambulance was targeted in a similar fashion. It further claimed that the Deep Penetration Unit of the Sri Lankan army was responsible for both attacks.

See also

• Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu
• Madhu church bombing
• 2008 Sri Lanka bus bombings
• 2008 Fort Railway Station Bombing