These deadly devices are believed to have been recently and indiscriminately planted near rural roads, educational institutions, and populated areas. Most seriously, these areas had already been declared free of suspected mines and explosive devices by Humanitarian Demining Battalions and international organizations.
As part of the Ayacucho Plus Campaign Plan and in the execution of military operations aimed at contributing to institutional control of the territory, Rapid Deployment Force No. 8, through Rapid Deployment Battalion No. 24,
succeeded in destroying 39 antipersonnel mines and an artisanal explosives manufacturing facility belonging to the Structure 28 Residual Organized Armed Group, under the criminal orders of alias Antonio Medina.
The military operations that led to the location and subsequent destruction of these deadly devices took place in rural areas of the municipalities of Sácama and Támara, Casanare, thanks to military intelligence efforts and reports from the community, which alerted the troops stationed in the sector. This led to the discovery of a minefield containing five antipersonnel mines, located on a road connecting several rural areas and used daily by children traveling to school and by farmers performing agricultural work.
Additionally,
a makeshift explosives factory was located in the area, where the following materials were seized: 39 antipersonnel mines, a cylinder rigged with explosives, seven bars of Indugel (hydrogel-type explosive), 17 electric detonators, two improvised ramp-type launchers, 120 pounds of ANFO, 60 meters of duplex cable, 4.5-volt batteries, 7.62 mm caliber cartridges, IM26 hand grenades, armbands bearing the insignia of the Décima Guadalupe Salcedo structure and the Uriel Londoño Company, and patches from the 45th Atanasio Girardot Front, the Fabián Izquierdo Company, and the Eastern Joint Command.
All explosive material was destroyed in a controlled manner by experts, safeguarding the lives and safety of the area’s residents.It is worth noting that this region of the country had been declared free of suspected antipersonnel mines and explosive devices by the Humanitarian Demining Battalions and international organizations, which at the time reassured residents so they could move freely within the territory.
However, this situation has once again raised alarms and concerns among the civilian population, regional and local authorities, as well as the security forces.Through these actions, Rapid Deployment Force No. 8 reaffirms its commitment to protecting the civilian population and fulfilling its constitutional mission by targeting the criminal factors that threaten the security and stability of citizens. It also invites the community to report any information that could lead to operational results such as this one via the toll-free hotline 147.
Source:
Eighth Division Press.
