JAFFNA, Jan 31: Four civilians were killed on Thursday in a powerful explosion in the northern peninsula of Jaffna.

Military officials held a suicide bomber responsible for the blast taking place on a public road in Thirunelveli amid heavy civilian movement. The bomb, believed to be a Claymore mine which was attached to a parked bicycle, exploded with a deafening noise, sources claimed. The blast took place after government troops said they had overran two defence lines of the LTTE in Jaffna.

Hundreds of soldiers had stormed the defence lines at Nagarkovil and Muhamale killing as many as 30 fighters, the Media Center for National Security said on its website.