Colombian troops capture 16 paramilitary members

The Colombian Army captured on Wednesday 16 members of an armed group, which is formed by dissident paramilitaries working for drug traffickers, in the northern Cordoba province.

"The actions took place in Rio Verde region of Puerto Libertador municipality, where troops of the 11th Brigade had an armed clash with members of 'Los Rastrojos'," the Army said in a report.

According to the Army, among the captured is alias "Marlon," chief of the criminal organization, which is operating mainly in the north of the country.

The authorities also seized two guns, one mortar, one machine gun, 3,447 cartridge of different calibers, 23 grenades as well as supervision and communication equipment.

"The captured were to face judicial process," the Army added.

"Los Rastrojos" works for a criminal group of drug king Luis Enrique Calle Serna, alias "Comba."

Meanwhile, five Colombian soldiers were injured on Wednesday by an anti-personnel mine in the southwestern Valle del Cauca province.

The government troops were launching an operation against the commander of front 30 of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Jorge Neptali Umensa, alias "Mincho."

Source:Xinhua