Indian rebels kill at least 20 soldiers

A GROUP of rebels using rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons have ambushed a military convoy in India's northeast, killing at least 20 soldiers and wounding more than a dozen others.
THURSDAY'S ambush occurred as the convoy was on its way from a small town to Imphal, the capital of Manipur state.
The rebels also used homemade bombs in the attack, a police officer said. The state, which borders Myanmar, has several active militant groups. None immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The mountainous region, known for its natural beauty, has been battling insurgencies for decades. Most of the main rebel groups in Manipur state are not engaged in ceasefire talks with the Indian government, unlike those in other remote northeastern states. Separatist groups accuse the Indian government of exploiting the region's rich natural resources while neglecting local development.