10 Colombian soldiers killed in mortar attack

Colombian rebels killed 10 soldiers in a mortar attack on an army barracks in Huila state this morning.

Seven other government soldiers were injured in the pre-dawn attack, which occurred while the troops were sleeping.

The Colombian army said the home-made mortar, a gas canister packed with explosives and shrapnel, was launched from a pick-up truck parked 600 metres from the army base in the town of Pitalito.

The finger of blame immediately pointed towards the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which has been fighting the government for 38 years.

FARC has stepped up its attacks on military and infrastructure targets in recent weeks, despite an agreement to seek ceasefire terms by April.