21 dead in car bomb attack on Colombian police academy

Author: Agencies

Colombia’ s government declared three days of mourning Thursday after at least 21 people died in a car bomb at a Bogota police cadet training academy, and 68 were wounded — the worst such incident in the city in 16 years.

The defense ministry said the “terrorist act” was carried out using a vehicle packed with 80 kilograms (around 175 pounds) of explosives.

“Unfortunately, the preliminary toll is 21 people dead, including the person responsible for the incident, and 68 wounded,” Colombian police said in a statement, adding 58 of those injured had been discharged from hospital. The defense ministry had previously reported 11 dead and 65 injured.

“All Colombians reject terrorism and we’re united in fighting it,” President Ivan Duque tweeted in the aftermath.

Later in a statement to the nation, he said he had ordered reinforcements to Colombia’s borders and routes in and out of cities.

“I have also requested that priority be given to all the investigations … to identify the masterminds of this terrorist attack and their accomplices,” he said.

The bomber — who authorities confirmed was killed in the attack — struck at the General Francisco de Paula Santander Officer’s School in the south of Bogota during a promotion ceremony for cadets.

No group has claimed responsibility, but public prosecutor Nestor Humberto Martinez named suspect Jose Aldemar Rojas Rodriguez as the “material author of this abominable crime.”

Martinez said Rojas Rodriguez entered the school compound at 9:30 am (1430 GMT) driving a grey 1993 Nissan Patrol truck, but gave no details about the explosion.

He said the truck underwent an inspection in July in the Arauco department on the border with Venezuela — a traditional stronghold of ELN Marxist guerrillas.

‘Brutal act of terrorism’

Ecuador’s President Lenin Moreno said one of the dead was an Ecuadoran cadet, while a second suffered light injuries. “The brutal act of terrorism in Bogota took the life of a compatriot,” Moreno said on Twitter.

Published in Daily Times, January 19th 2019.

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Pakistan

Round Table Discussion on “From Promises to Progress: An Overview of Pakistan’s Fight Against Gender-Based Violence”

Islamabad, December 04, 2024: Women Parliamentary Caucus(WPC) in collaboration with the Centre for Peace and…

10 hours ago
  • Pakistan

National Convention Seeks Inclusive Future for Persons with Disabilities

The Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) organized the National Convention on Disability under…

13 hours ago
  • Lifestyle

Mahira Khan’s ‘Harvard student pretend video’ with Aqsa Manzoor goes viral

Pakistani film actress Mahira Khan made a surprise cameo in a playful video by influencer…

15 hours ago
  • Lifestyle

Nargis Fakhri’s sister arrested

Bollywood actor Nargis Fakhri's sister Aliya has reportedly been arrested for the murder of two…

15 hours ago
  • Lifestyle

Yasir Hussain criticises Botox overuse among Pakistani actors

Yasir Hussain, a multi-talented actor, director, writer, and producer, is known for making a strong…

15 hours ago
  • Lifestyle

Rajiv Adatia opens up about his wish to visit Makkah

Rajiv Adatia, the popular social media influencer and Bigg Boss 15 contestant, recently shared his…

15 hours ago