104 die in clashes with rebels

Bogota - At least 104 people have been killed in clashes between Colombian military and police troops and Marxist rebels in the…

Bogota - At least 104 people have been killed in clashes between Colombian military and police troops and Marxist rebels in the country's north-west, Radio RCN re ported yesterday. Citing military sources, the radio said 54 Colombian military and police died, and 50 rebels were killed in violent fighting since Wednesday.

Among the victims were 22 soldiers who died on Thursday when a military helicopter crashed after being hit by guerrilla fire near the town of Dabeiba, about 580 km northwest of Bogota.