The cowardly attack targeting innocent civilians comes within hours after Army and Navy troops successfully repulsed a pre-dawn LTTE infiltration bid at the Chiraththivu islet located along the Jaffna- Mandathivu causeway.

According to military report, 20 rounds of heavy artillery shells have fallen into the densely populated Kolombuthurai, Gurunagar and Pasiuura areas causing sheer tension among the civilians who are majority Tamil.

Many civilian properties including vehicles and residences were also destroyed in this attack. A Catholic priest, children and elderly civilians were also among the victims suffered injuries. The injured were rushed to the Jaffna teaching hospital immediately.

Defence analysts state the attack targeting civilians is indeed a reaction of dismay by the outfit, a 'reprisal' despite constant calls from the LTTE to boycott the "Jaffna-reawakening" carnival, held at Doreiappah grounds, last week organized by the Security Forces HQ - Jaffna, 51 Division and the Jaffna Traders Association.

LTTE is a ruthless terrorist outfit notorious for crimes against innocent civilians. In its pursuit for a mono ethnic separate homeland for Tamils, the outfit has killed and maimed over tens and innocent children, Tamil and Sinhalese political leaders in indiscriminate bomb attacks. FBI in a recent report called LTTE the most dangerous terrorist outfit in the world.