This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7664107.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Peru rebels launch deadly ambush | Peru rebels launch deadly ambush |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| At least 12 soldiers and seven civilians have been killed in an ambush by rebels in south-east Peru, the defence ministry said. | At least 12 soldiers and seven civilians have been killed in an ambush by rebels in south-east Peru, the defence ministry said. |
| The attack took place late on Thursday as a military convoy returned to a base in Huancavelica province. | The attack took place late on Thursday as a military convoy returned to a base in Huancavelica province. |
| The military said it believed the rebels belong to the Shining Path, which wrought havoc in Peru during the 1980s and early 1990s. | The military said it believed the rebels belong to the Shining Path, which wrought havoc in Peru during the 1980s and early 1990s. |
| It is thought to be the worst attack in a decade by the Maoist-inspired group. | |
| In the 1980s and 1990s the guerrilla group attempted to impose a communist regime. Almost 70,000 people were killed during the violence. | |
| However, the conflict has been largely dormant in recent years. | |
| Analysts say the Shining Path is a fraction of its former size but its fighters still control remote coca-growing areas of Peru's central jungle and are heavily involved in the drugs trade. | |
| The army is reported to have launched an operation in recent weeks to remove an estimated 300 Shining Path rebels who work in the cocaine trade in the region. |