A claymore mine bombing of a school bus in Sri Lanka killed 11 children and 6 others, highlighting civilian targeting during the Sri Lankan Civil War.
Key Facts
- Date
- January 29, 2008
- Total killed
- 17 people
- Children killed
- 11 school children
- Injured
- at least 14 people
- Target
- School bus in LTTE-controlled area
- Attack type
- Claymore mine bombing
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The attack occurred amid the ongoing Sri Lankan Civil War, in a rebel LTTE-controlled area of Thadchanamadhu, Mannar. Tensions between the Sri Lankan Army and the LTTE remained high, with deep penetration units allegedly operating behind enemy lines to destabilize Tamil-controlled regions.
On January 29, 2008, a claymore mine was detonated against a school bus in Thadchanamadhu, Mannar, killing 17 Tamil civilians including 11 school children and injuring at least 14 others. It was the second civilian bus attack in Sri Lanka within January 2008.
The LTTE and human rights organization NESHOR accused the Sri Lankan Army's deep penetration unit of carrying out the attack, allegations the Army denied. The bombing drew attention to the targeting of Tamil civilians and intensified scrutiny of conduct by armed parties during the final phase of the civil war.