The authorities are advancing in the investigations after the terrorist attack in the vicinity of the Bolívar Battalion, in the capital of Boyacá. A dump truck loaded with explosives was abandoned a few meters from the military base, generating a strong explosion that caused panic among the inhabitants.

General William Rincón, director of the National Police, confirmed that seven people involved in the incident have already been identified, including the explosives expert in charge of adapting the vehicle.

“Through cameras and interviews, we managed to identify three of the seven involved in this unfortunate event”said the officer.

According to authorities, those involved include the person who drove the vehicle to the area and those who previously purchased it in Duitama. Investigations indicate that the attack was carried out by the ELN, in what is presumed to be retaliation against Army operations in the region.

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Retired military personnel and security analysts warned that this terrorist attack in Tunja evidences a weakening of the State’s intelligence.

Retired General Jorge Mora, of the Council of Army Generals, assured: “Not even in the harshest times of the conflict had anything like this been seen in Tunja, the cradle of independence.”

For his part, Colonel (r) Whalter Pinzón, former commander of the Police anti-terrorism unit, agreed that the lack of resources and the weakening of intelligence sources have limited the preventive capacity of the armed forces.

The Army and Police continue operations to capture the rest of those involved and prevent new attacks in the north of the country.

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