9 Soldiers Killed in Colombian Army Helicopter Crash

The helicopter lost communication with the base in the early afternoon and was later found to have crashed near the municipality of Santa Rosa, Bolivar Department, said the army's statements, Xinhua reported.

Expressing his regret over the tragedy on social media, President of Colombia Gustavo Petro said that troops "were conducting operations against the Gulf Clan."

Gulf Clan is known as a criminal ring accused of drug trafficking and murders in Colombia.