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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. Twelve soldiers and seven civilians have been killed in a rebel ambush in a remote coca-growing region in south-east Peru, the military 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 armed forces 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.It is thought to be the worst attack in a decade by the Maoist-inspired group.
"The toll from the attack as far as we know has risen to seven civilians killed and several wounded including some women and children, and 12 members of the military patrol are dead and some others are wounded," the Peruvian armed forces said in a statement.
In the 1980s and 1990s the guerrilla group attempted to impose a communist regime. Almost 70,000 people were killed during the violence.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.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.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.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.