Wednesday, June 7 2006 18:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: At least five persons were killed and 14 others injured in a mine attack inside LTTE-held territory in eastern Sri Lanka today (June 7, 2006).

The attack was allegedly carried out by Sri Lankan government troops, who moved from forward defence lines in the district of Batticaloa to attack a tractor transporting civilians, Pro-rebel Tamilnet.com website reported.

"Sri Lanka army troopers, who had moved beyond the forward defence line of the LTTE, were behind the pressure mine that targeted a tractor with civilians who were on their way to Vadamunai village from Kiran," sources said.

There was no immediate confirmation of the incident and the military denied any involvement in the attack.

The incident comes a day ahead of a meeting between the government and the Tamil Tigers in Oslo to discuss the safety of Scandinavians monitoring a truce that is threatened with collapse.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan government was today commemorating thousands of soldiers killed in combat.