Eleven killed in 'friendly-fire' attack in Colombia

By The Associated Press

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive

BOGOTA, Colombia — Soldiers searching for rebels in rural southwest Colombia accidentally ambushed a police unit yesterday, killing seven police officers and four civilian prisoners, police said.

Preliminary reports indicated that police had just apprehended four suspected criminals and were taking them to the city of Pasto when they were attacked by the soldiers, who believed they were rebels.

Local media reported that the soldiers stopped shooting when they heard shouts identifying the group as police officers.

Colombia's security forces have been plagued by friendly-fire killings this year.

Three soldiers were accidentally killed Thursday by fellow troops during a planned night assault on a rebel encampment. Last month, a helicopter opened fire on its own troops, killing one army official and a soldier.

The military has launched an offensive against leftist rebel groups and right-wing paramilitary fighters in Colombia's mountains and jungles, where it can be difficult to identify the perceived enemy.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company