Colombian forces launch counterattack against rebels
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe oversaw a massive counterattack against leftist rebels on Sunday in the southwest of the country.

More than 1,000 troops backed by helicopter gun ships tracked hundreds of rebels believed to be heading for the border with Ecuador to seek refuge from the fighting, army officials said.

The counterattack came after 25 soldiers were killed in fighting across the South American country.

"The murder of our soldiers pains us greatly," Uribe said after having crisis talks with military commanders in Puerto Asis, 530 km southwest of the capital Bogota. "But to make concessions to terrorism or to bow to terrorism undermines democracy," he added.

Uribe also said he intends to discuss the situation along the border with Ecuadorian authorities.

About 300 members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) attacked oil wells near Puerto Asis on Saturday and ambushed an army convoy, killing at least 19 soldiers.

Meanwhile, 19 other soldiers who went missing during the attackg ot separated from their unit and were found alive on early Sunday, said acting Army chief Gen. Hernan Alonso Ortiz.

In northeast Colombia, six soldiers were also killed on Saturday when they fought rebels blockading a road.

The FARC is the largest rebel organization in Colombia with at least 17,000 members operating throughout the country.