Thursday, November 17 2005 17:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: A bomb exploded in an eastern Sri Lankan town today, killing at least two people and critically injuring six, the regional police chief said.

Deputy Inspector General of Police of eastern Sri Lanka, M.M.W.W. Dharmaratna, said two Tamil Tiger rebels were instantly killed when they accidentally detonated a bomb they were putting together.

"It was a powerful bomb and our report says that at least six others were critically wounded,'' the chief said by telephone.

The incident took place in Kalmunai, a Muslim-majority town in eastern Sri Lanka. Ethnic Tamils also live in the area and the Tigers have been at odds with the Muslims.