The command of the Second Division of the National Army, on the events that occurred yesterday evening, Tuesday 23 February, informs :
1. Troops of the Energy Operations Command No.1, in the hamlet El Tablazo, municipality of Palmarito, rural area of Cúcuta, Norte de Santander, were attacked indiscriminately, apparently by members of Organised Armed Group, GAO, Eln, through the activation of an improvised explosive device that caused the rolling of the vehicle in which they traveled.
2. This criminal operation resulted in the death of two of our heroes, and 11 more were injured, two of them gravely.
3. Immediately, the military personnel was evacuated and is at this time being assisted in a specialized medical center in the city of Cúcuta, the rest of the soldiers who went in the vehicle suffered bruises and are checked in the medical center with any problem.
4. The National Army rejects this terrorist act that violates international humanitarian law; in the same way, with greater determination it ratifies its commitment to continue building the peace with the legality for all the inhabitants of Norte de Santander.
5. We sent a message of condolences to the families and partners of our two soldiers who today were killed in the line of duty and we ask God to give you the strength at this time, the same as to say that the Military Unit will be supporting with absolute commitment the families in this painful situation.
In the same way, it will follow up on the recovery of the wounded men.