A suspected LTTE's female suicide bomber blew herself on Monday (9th February) killing 24 people. The military said that, the suicide attack occurred when the human bomb blew up her among a group of soldiers, searching civilians fleeing Sri Lanka's northern war zone.

 

The suicide bombing was the first major attack in Sri Lanka in more than a month. It increases the fears that LTTE, which is now on the verge of defeat, will increasingly turn to guerrilla warfare in their battle against government forces.

 

After a string of victories, the military has surrounded the rebels around a small strip of land on the northeastern coast of Sri Lanka. According to Red Cross about 250,000 civilians are also trapped there.

 

The military has accused the LTTE of holding the civilians as human shields. Military has called for noncombatants to flee to government-controlled areas. On the other hand, the rebels have accused the government of indiscriminately shelling the war zone, leading to increasing civilian casualties.

 

On Monday (9th February) morning, more than 800 civilians had crossed the front lines. Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said that, they were being searched by soldiers before being sent to camps farther south. He added that, the attacker set off the bomb she was wearing, when she was frisked, killing 24 people and injuring 20 others.