Renewed fighting in Cambodia

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32734, 11 October 1971, Page 13

Renewed fighting in Cambodia

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) SAIGON, October 10. At least 97 Communist troops have been reported killed near the Cambodian border town of Krek in renewed heavy fighting in the area.

A South Vietnamese High Command spokesman said today that South Vietnamese rangers, supported by tanks, artillery and air strikes, clashed with North Vietnamese Regulars several times yesterday, suffering casualties of three killed and 26 wounded. Forty-eight North Vietnamese were killed in several contacts from dusk to dawn round an area two miles north-east of Krek. The other 49 Communists were killed when South Vietnamese troops ambushed a force of an unknown size in an area close by. Government troops captured a number of weapons, including 28 Chinese-made AK47 rifles, six rocket-pro-pelled grenade-launchers, and one light machine-gun.

i Military sources had said earlier that the main force of the three North Vietnamese regiments that had borne the brunt of the recent Krek battle had w :hdrawn deeper into Cambodia to refit and resupply, but ti.ere were indications that fresh units were planning to move back in force. North Vietnamese gunners have maintained steady shelling attacks against South Vietnamese outposts round the Krek area since the Communist offensive began late last month. Yesterday, nearly 200 rocket and mortar shells wen fired against a string of South Vietnamese bases guarding the north-western approaches to Saigon, causing what a spokesman described as “light casualties.”