Indian rebels kill fifteen soldiers

Officials in India say secessionist rebels in the north-eastern state of Manipur have ambushed an army convoy, killing fifteen soldiers and seriously injuring six more.

The outlawed People's Liberation Army, which wants to end Indian control of Manipur, said it had carried out the attack.

A government spokesman said the rebels detonated two landmines, blowing one vehicle into a ravine, before spraying the convoy with automatic fire.

A similar attack one month ago killed twenty soldiers and nine civilians travelling with them.

Last year more than two-hundred-and-fifty people died in Manipur in attacks blamed on at least five separatist groups.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service