(CNN Español) – At least 14 alleged dissidents from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and a military man died on Saturday in the confrontation in the Algerian municipality, in the Cauca department.
In a statement, the Colombian military said that the dissident fighters belong to one of the so-called residual armed groups, especially “Carlos Patiño”.
According to the statement, during the confrontation “an officer, a non-commissioned officer and five soldiers were injured and, unfortunately, one of our non-commissioned officers, the third corporal Diego Ricardo Gómez, was killed”.
Army Commander Eduardo Zapateiro said on Twitter that the army was attacked with explosive devices and that even an Air Force aircraft was “affected” after the incident.
The injured soldiers were taken to a hospital and are recovering “satisfactorily”, according to the statement.
During the operation, weapons and ammunition were also confiscated, and an alleged dissident was arrested.
With regard to the alleged FARC dissidents, the Army reported that: methods such as the chain of custody and other urgent acts at the place where the events took place ”.
The military also said that “some members of the civilian population obstruct the work of the troops” and accused them of being involved in drug trafficking.
Although the statement did not provide evidence of the allegations, it was said that “these actions will be reported to the competent authorities”.