Colombian rebels launched a surprise attack Saturday on a government military convoy in northwestern Colombia, killing five soldiers and wounding another five, the authorities said.

The battle launched by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC, took place near the village of Frontino, 460 kilometers northwest of Bogota, the capital, the army's fourth brigade reported.

The wounded soldiers have been sent by helicopters to Medellin,Colombia's second-large city, for medical treatment.

It was not clear if any FARC rebels were killed or wounded in the clash.

Colombia's civil war between the government troops and the rebels has lasted 40 years. It is the longest armed conflict in the Southern America. At least 40,000 people are killed in the fights of the last 10 years.

Since 2000, the United States has spent some 2.5 billion US dollars, most of it for military aid and training, to help the Colombian government fight the rebels.

Source: Xinhua