Maoist Shining Path rebels raided a natural gas pipeline camp high in the Andes early Monday, kidnapping at least 50 people — including three police officers and seven foreigners, police said. At least 60 armed guerrillas entered a camp operated by Argentine petroleum company Techint before dawn, said Defense Minister Aurelio Loret de Mola. Techint has been using the site, near the village of Toccate, to build a pipeline to carry natural gas from Peru’s Amazon jungle to the Pacific coast. Police said the guerrillas also seized explosives stored at the camp. A Techint representative, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, said that several Argentines, Colombians and Chileans had been working with Peruvians at the camp. She confirmed the kidnapping, but said she could not identify who had been taken hostage. Last fall, members of the Shining Path attacked a Techint camp in the same area, damaging heavy equipment but not harming any of the workers. Peru’s military will be directing the search-and-rescue mission, and Army Gen. Federico Ayarza said 60 soldiers were immediately flown to the site. Ayacucho Police Chief Col. Luis La Torre said 50 police officers had also been sent. Full Story
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