Policemen die in Colombian bomb

At least seven police officers have been killed in a car bomb attack in western Colombia, police have said.

Four officers are said to be missing, while a number were injured in the explosion late on Monday.

"It was an ambush," said national police spokesman Sgt Alberto Cantillo, adding that he suspected Farc guerrillas were behind the attack.

He said police had been called to a supposed rebel attack in Andinapolis, when a car blew up as they passed.

Three police cars were hit by the blast in the town, about 250km (160 miles) south-west of the capital, Bogota.

Mr Cantillo said seven officers were found dead, while eight were wounded.

Those missing may have escaped or they may have been kidnapped, he said.

Another report put the figure at nine dead.

The left-wing Farc group has been engaged in a war against the Colombian government for 40 years.

The fighting kills thousands of people each year.

Farc rebels have ruled out peace talks with President Alvaro Uribe, who has made defeating the insurgency the main focus of his government.