Rebels kill 5 soldiers in northeast India

The soldiers were on a routine patrol of the densely forested Samtol area near the Indian border with Myanmar when the rebels opened fire on the vehicle, Col. R. Kalia said.

He said five soldiers were killed instantly. The dead included a major and a captain.

Samtol is about 80 miles (125 kilometers) south of the state capital, Imphal.

Kalia said the army suspected the ambush was carried out by rebels of the United National Liberation Front, a militant separatist group that celebrated Monday the 45th anniversary of its formation.

The UNLF has been fighting for an independent homeland for Manipur's majority Meitei tribespeople. At least 17 separatist rebel groups are active in Manipur and often wage hit-and-run battles with government soldiers.

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