The Claymore is a “directional mine,” a curved plastic pack of Composition C-3 explosive (later C-4) into which numerous steel cubes were embedded. When detonated, the mine would blast out its fragments across an arc pre-set by the user. The Claymore fires steel balls out to about 100 m within a 60° arc in front of the device. It is used primarily in ambushes and as an anti-infiltration device against enemy infantry. But Sri Lankan military used it against to the Eelamtamils and killed them in many occasions.

Nedunkeni is located in the northern part of the Vavuniya district in Tamileelam. Nedunkeni hospital provides the main medical services to the people for this region. This hospital is not well equipped and therefore any complicated cases are frequently transferred to the larger hospital in the Mullaithivu district.

On 08.07.2006, a Claymore attack on Ambulance has taken place at Pandarakulam on Nedunkerni Oddusuddan Road when the doctor, Kathirkamathamby Jeyamalina, 68, the only doctor in the Nedunkerni area, was returning with his crew and his wife to Nedunkerni hospital after admitting a pregnant mother at Puthukudiyiruppu hospital. This attack carried out by the DPU (deep penetration unit) of SL army. Three Claymore mines in a row were exploded.

Jeyamalina Ponnamma, the wife of the medical doctor, Rasalingam Gnaneswari, 22, a nurse, Jehananthan Nahuleswari, 37, nurse and mother of three, and the driver Kasupathy Gopalasundaram, 54, father of three, were killed in the DPU Claymore attack. Mr. Kathirkamathamby Jeyamalina succumbed to his wounds while he was being taken to Puthudiyiruppu hospital.

The vehicle was thrown 50 meters away. The attackers had taken position 15 meters from the explosion site. Pieces of wire and biscuits were recovered from a bush.

Names of victims (name, age)

1. Jehananthan Nahuleswari, 37
2. Jeyamalina Ponnamma
3. Kasupathy Gopalasundaram, 54
4. Kathirkamathamby Jeyamalina, 68
5. Rasalingam Gnaneswari, 22