The magistrate was investigating a murder in the Jaffna Peninsula in northern Sri Lanka when an improvised explosive device exploded, allegedly detonated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam terrorist organization, the Sri Lanka government reported.
Officials say the magistrate, who was being escorted by several Sri Lankan army soldiers, survived the explosion. Three of the soldiers in the vehicle were injured and one soldier was killed.
Since a January pullout of a cease-fire agreement with the LTTE, the Sri Lankan government had increased its military operations in the north of the country. The increase in operations in LTTE strongholds has led to sharp increases in violence.
The LTTE operative suspected of targeting the magistrate remains at large. Jaffna police authorities say an investigation is ongoing.
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