Many dead in Colombian violence

The army in Colombia says rebels have launched a major attack on a remote village Carmen del Atrato in the northwest of the country, leaving several people dead.

An army spokesman said left-wing rebels from Colombia's largest guerrilla group, the FARC, destroyed a police station, bank, church and health centre.

He said at least three policemen and three civilians were killed.

The spokesman said the army, backed by planes, then launched a counter-offensive.

He added that a rebel communique they intercepted spoke of at least thirty-six rebels being killed, but that has not been independently confirmed. In recent weeks FARC, which has been involved in a protracted conflict with the Colombian authorities and right-wing paramilitary forces, has increased its attacks on remote police outposts.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service