Ten Colombian fighters with the ELN guerrilla organisation were reported dead Sunday after fighting with military forces in the department of Arauca, reported broadcaster RCN, citing military sources. There were reports that one of the dead might be Gustavo Giraldo, also known as Pablito, the commander of ELN units in the region.
Two further rebels were reported injured, reported RCN. The ELN, which claims about 2,000 fighters, has expressed interest of late in starting peace talks. But the government says talks are not possible until the group frees all hostages it has taken.
The ELN is separate from the larger guerrilla organisation FARC, which has been engaged in peace talks for more than a year to end its decades-old conflict.