Explosive device attack in Popayán wounds two police officers; $20 million reward offered
An explosive attack left two uniformed officers wounded in the Alfonso López neighbourhood of Popayán. Authorities are offering up to 20 million pesos for information about those responsible.
Explosive attack in Popayán leaves two police officers wounded; reward offered for perpetrators
According to infobae.com, an explosive device thrown by unknown individuals struck a National Police patrol in the morning of Wednesday, 7 October, in the vicinity of the Alfonso López neighbourhood, Comuna 4 of Popayán, a few metres from the La Magdalena women's prison.
The attack occurred around 10:00 a.m., when the uniformed officers were carrying out registration and control activities in the sector. Several individuals threw the explosive at the official vehicle; those responsible fled the scene after the detonation.
The two police officers who made up the patrol were wounded and taken to health facilities in the Cauca capital. Initial reports also indicated possible impact on civilians travelling through the area, a road corridor with constant traffic and commercial activity.
The Government Secretary of Popayán, Reinel Polanía, spoke from the scene: "Fortunately, the two members of that patrol are now out of danger. They suffered minor injuries, such that there is no danger to their lives."
Polanía also announced a joint reward between the municipal administration and the police institution: "A sum of up to 20 million is being offered for any person who provides relevant information and leads to the location and capture of those directly and indirectly responsible for this attack against the police force."
The detonation disrupted activity in the San Mónica and neighbouring sectors, where residents and merchants came out to assist the affected. Units of the National Police and rescue organisations arrived at the scene to address the emergency, establish a security perimeter and provide first aid.
Authorities are continuing to verify possible impact among the civilian population. So far, preliminary information has confirmed injuries only among the two members of the police force.
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Drone attack on police station in Aipe, Huila, leaves no casualties
In a separate incident, the police station in Aipe, in the department of Huila, was targeted in an attack during the afternoon of Monday, 5 October 2026, around 5:00 p.m. The detonations caused panic among inhabitants of the municipality, although the preliminary report registered no wounded or fatalities among either uniformed officers or civilians.
According to information published by Diario de Huila, initial reports point to the use of drones carrying explosive materials with the police unit as their target. That hypothesis, however, still needs to be confirmed by investigators.
Following the alert, authorities activated a security and intelligence operation in the urban area of Aipe, aimed at reinforcing surveillance around police facilities and nearby sectors.
Authorities will need to establish what devices were used exactly, from where they were launched and who organised or carried out the action against the police station.
Source: Google News CO — Crime