by Ranil Wijayapala and Trincomalee correspondent

LTTE terrorists posing off as civilians opened fire killing three civilians and a soldier and injuring two civilians and a policeman at the Mahindapura checkpoint on Kantale-Verugal road in Trincomalee, yesterday.

The LTTE cadres had opened fire on the Army and the Police manning the checkpoint when they were checking the passengers of a bus heading for Verugal from Muttur at the last checkpoint before the uncleared areas.

Around 140 passengers were in the bus which was stopped at the checkpoint around 12.30 p.m. yesterday. Most of the passengers were devotees on their way to attend the annual festival at the Hindu Kovil in Kadiraveli in the uncleared area.

According to Defence sources three LTTE cadres with bags had opened fire on Security Forces as they were asked to follow the other passengers who were on a queue for checking.

A nine-year old girl was also among the two civilians injured due to the LTTE fire.

Troops later found two bags in which LTTE terrorists had brought their guns. The injured civilians and the police constable were admitted to Serunuwara hospital.