Andina

Peru: Four suspected terrorists die in confrontation with law enforcement agencies

Four suspected terrorists die in confrontation with law enforcement agencies. A policeman and a soldier were also killed in the combat. Photo: ANDINA/Archive

Four suspected terrorists die in confrontation with law enforcement agencies. A policeman and a soldier were also killed in the combat. Photo: ANDINA/Archive

15:27 | La Mar (Ayacucho region), Aug. 24.

The Peruvian Government on Monday reported that four alleged terrorists died after a confrontation with a combined patrolling squad —made up of members of the Armed Forces and the Peruvian National Police— in an area belonging to the Valley of Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM).

In a joint statement issued by the Ministries of Defense and Interior, it was specified that today —at approximately 7:35 a.m. (local time)— a squad made up of the Armed Forces and the Peruvian National Police took down four suspected terrorists, who had been led by "Comrade Cirilo."

According to the statement, the alleged subversives carried out security activities for drug traffickers in order to obtain financing and logistical support to expand their support bases in the southern area of VRAEM.

The communiqué also affirmed that during the confrontation Peruvian National Police NCO 1 Emerson Cristian Ruiz Flores and Peruvian Army Sergeant 1 Cristian Angel Gómez Bernaldo lost their lives, "to whose families we extend our deepest condolences and the recognition of the Nation for their courageous sacrifice to achieve the pacification of this area of our country."

The integrated FFAA-PNP operation —which took place on the carriageway that leads to the populated center of Iran, jurisdiction of Anchihuay District in La Mar Province (Ayacucho region)— also allowed the recovery of three 5.56mm Galil rifles, one 9mm. Sig Sauer pistol, as well as military supplies and various documents.

It added that the group of "Comrade Cirilo" was part of the main force of "Comrade Antonio" and they were responsible for the ambush against the Peruvian National Police convoy that caused the death of two collaborators in the Aguas Verdes population center last March.

Besides "Comrade Cirilo" (34), "Comrades Roger" (27), "Wilmer" (22) and "Alejandro" (19) were also taken down.

Finally, the communiqué emphasized that the Armed Forces and the National Police continue to work intensely in the VRAEM area in order to achieve the total pacification of that important region of the country.

(END) NDP/MAO/MVB

Published: 8/24/2020