Peru steps up pressure on Shining Path insurgents

摘要

Peruvian armed forces have launched a massive operation against the remaining active forces of the Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso - SL) insurgents group. The offensive, which started in early September, seeks to gain the control of Vizcatan: the last insurgent-controlled area in the country. Fifteen soldiers and two civilians have been killed during intense firefights and in an ambush set by the insurgents. The offensive began with the deployment of 1,200 Peruvian Army special forces personnel to Vizcatan. There has been no military or police presence for five years in the zone, where the SL bases up to 200 cadres out of its 350 still at arms. The army has engaged the SL in several clashes, the most significant of which took place on 8 and 14 Septem- ber when the army attacked the SL's main strongholds at Vizcatan. At least five SL combatants were killed, although the army suffered 18 wounded, most of them due to improvised explosive devices (lEDs) placed around the SL bases.