Eleven soldiers killed in Ecuador after clash with criminal group

QUITO (Reuters) -Eleven soldiers were killed and one was injured in Ecuador's Amazon region during an armed confrontation with a criminal group, the country's defense ministry said on Friday.

The troops were attacked during an operation targeting illegal mining in the Alto Punino area, the ministry said.

The ambush was carried out by the Comandos de la Frontera, or 'Border Command,' armed group, which used explosives, grenades and rifles during the assault, the ministry said, citing military intelligence.

(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle)

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