Colombo  - At least 16 civilians, including six children, were killed in roadside claymore mine blast in a rebel-controlled area in northern Sri Lanka, Tamil rebels said Friday.

The blast went off when a van was passing Murikandy, 310 kilometres north of the capital, on Friday afternoon. It came as the funeral of a senior rebel member, who died of a heart attack on Tuesday, was taking place in the region.

Rebels said that the van was carrying civilians in the absence of a proper bus service in the area.

The rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) blamed the army's deep penetration unit - a unit of the army which infiltrates rebel-controlled areas and carries out attacks.

But, the army has denied the existence of such unit.

The funeral of senior 'Special Commander' of the rebel movement, "Brigadier" Balraj, took place in the same region under a tight security cover placed by the rebels. (dpa)