Salvadoran rebels claim heavy toll of soldiers

Leftist rebels said Wednesday they killed or wounded 95 government soldiers in two days of fierce combat, pushing to nearly 700 the total casualties they claim to have inflicted in a five-week offensive.

The insurgents, who also charged that two Honduran Army battalions are aiding Salvadoran troops along El Salvador's northern border, made the claims in a broadcast by the clandestine station Radio Venceremos.