Salvador Copters Pound Rebels

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — The U.S.-backed military pounded suspected rebel positions with helicopter gunships today to protect two hydroelectric plants that produce most of the Central American nation’s power in the second day of a government crackdown on rebels.

In telephone interviews, civilian sources in the area of the military operations said fighting has been intense for two days, with A-37 jet fighters bombing insurgent positions for about 90 minutes Tuesday. Today, the sources said, at least 10 helicopter gunships strafed the rebels in a support operation to ground troops moving in.