Colombo  - Six civilians including two children were killed and four others were injured in a claymore mine explosion in a rebel- controlled area in northern Sri Lanka, local media said Tuesday.

The civilians were traveling for a Hindu religious festival in Maangakulam area when their van was caught in the claymore blast in Poothur, 280 kilometres north of the capital on Monday night, the survivors said.

The pro-rebel Tamilnet website said the mine was detonated by the Sri Lanka army's deep-penetration unit.

The army denied any involvement in the attack.

A series of similar attacks have been carried out in rebel-held zones, killing some senior rebel leaders.

Government troops have intensified their offensive in the north after vowing to defeat the rebels by the end of the year. The army earlier recaptured rebel-controlled areas in the eastern province. (dpa)