Rebels of Colombia’s largest rebel group FARC surrendered a police officer to a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross in southwest Colombia Monday, three days after capturing the official in combat.
The officer was released in the municipality of El Tambo, Cauca department, three days after being kidnapped during 14 hours of fighting between guerrillas and security forces in the area on Friday.
Although the officer was registered as missing following the attack, the fact that he had been captured by rebels was not confirmed until Monday, when the guerrillas announced their decision to release him.
The involvement of the Red Cross in the release operation was requested by the FARC.
The officer was part of a group of 18 members of the Armed Forces who were attacked by the FARC on Friday, during an attack in which the guerrillas damaged a radar station installed on Cerro Santa Ana.
Another police officer died during the attack.