Jan 31, Colombo: At least eight persons-four policemen, three soldiers and a civilian- were killed when suspected LTTE rebels set off a powerful claymore mine targeting a military convoy at Chenkalady in Batticaloa this morning.

“Tigers detonated a powerful claymore mine against a convoy of the Security Forces proceeding on leave,” military Spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said. Nine more were injured and evacuated to Polonnaruwa Base hospital and a few of those seriously injured are to be airlifted to Colombo.

The LTTE had triggered the remote controlled claymore mine as the convoy was passing the Eastern University premises at Vandaramulla in Batticaloa.

The LTTE attack comes a day after a gathering of donor countries urged both Sri Lanka government and LTTE to return to negotiations.

Encouraged by the recent military gains President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week vowed to eliminate terrorism from the country as his troops have the strength to do so. However, analysts believe the Tigers will resort to guerilla war after their losses.