Militants Ambush Army Convoy In Northern Colombia, At Least 10 Soldiers Killed

[News_Editor]

<p>BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least ten soldiers were confirmed killed and one kidnapped after militants ambushed members of the Colombian army, officials said Wednesday.

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<p>The incident occurred in the rural area of Chitaga, a municipality in North Santander, when suspected insurgents of the National Liberation Army (ELN) ambushed a military convoy, killing a lieutenant and nine other soldiers.

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<p>General Pablo Amaya of commander of the Second Division of the Colombian Army confirmed the killings, adding that third corporal Fabian Huertas was kidnapped. The number of those injured was not immediately known, but they were transferred to local hospitals.

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<p>ELN, founded in the 1960s by far-left catholic priests, is Colombia's second biggest guerrilla organization after FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. The group has claimed interest in peace talks, but it has yet to open dialogue with authorities.

</p> <p> (Copyright 2013 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: [email protected].) </p>