MICHAEL HOLMES, WORLD NEWS: A mine explosion has killed 10 police in a Sri Lankan town near areas controlled by the Tamil Tiger rebels. Journalist Iqbal Athas joins us now from the capital Colombo. What can you tell us, Iqbal?</s>IQBAL ATHAS, JOURNALIST: Michael, 10 policemen were killed and 19 wounded when Tamil Tiger rebels exploded a mine near the northern town of Vavuniya 255 kilometers from the capital Colombo, police said. The incident occurred when the truckload of policemen were moving from one sector to another. Seven civilians, too, were wounded in this incident. It came just a day after government troops launched an offensive against the rebels in the northern Jaffna peninsula. Army official say that the offensive in two towns south of the peninsula is still continuing. Michael.</s>HOLMES: So is it fair to say that the fighting is escalating in the peninsula region, is that right?</s>ATHAS: Yes, with the pressure (ph), the fighting has escalated, Michael.</s>HOLMES: And what are the main areas -- is this an area around Elephant Pass?</s>ATHAS: We're just further north of Elephant Pass. The two towns in question are</s>HOLMES: All right. Iqbal Athas, reporting there from Colombo in Sri Lanka. Just repeating that a mine explosion has killed 10 police in a town there. END TO ORDER VIDEOTAPES AND TRANSCRIPTS OF CNN INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMING, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE THE SECURE ONLINE ORDER FROM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Mine Explosion In Sri Lankan Town Kills Police