The Armed Forces of Peru reported the death of “Comrade Richard”, identified as one of the main commanders of the terrorist organization Sendero Luminoso, during a joint operation carried out in the Junín region.
The intervention, called Operation Quiñones, was carried out by a Special Command in coordination with the National Police of Peru, after intelligence work that allowed the subversive group to be located in the Hamaca sector, in Alto Mantaro.
According to the Joint Command of the Armed Forces, “Comrade Richard” was a member of the organization's political bureau and fulfilled military command functions, in addition to coordinating activities linked to logistical supply and production for the remaining structure of Sendero Luminoso.
According to information released by the authorities, the operation was prepared for several weeks and included the participation of elite patrols and air support.
During the confrontation, an Army non-commissioned officer was injured by a gunshot wound and was evacuated to receive specialized medical care. Likewise, a military helicopter received multiple projectile hits during extraction efforts, although the crew was unharmed.
After the intervention, law enforcement seized a Galil rifle, supplied magazines, explosives, communication equipment, tactical material and other implements that were used by the armed group.
The authorities consider that the death of “Comrade Richard” represents a significant blow against the remnants of the Shining Path that maintain links to drug trafficking activities.
Various journalistic reports indicate that the slain leader was identified as one of those responsible for the so-called Huarcatán massacre, which occurred in 2021, in which 16 civilians were murdered in the district of Vizcatán del Ene, an attack attributed by the authorities to Shining Path remnants.
The Joint Command of the Armed Forces indicated that operations will continue with the objective of neutralizing the members of terrorist organizations that still remain in the area and strengthening security in this part of the country.
