Three Colombian National Police officers were wounded Friday when armed men fired rifles at their aircraft shortly after takeoff [2].
The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the Norte de Santander region, where illegal armed groups frequently target state security forces.
The attack occurred May 22, 2026, at 12:55 p.m. [1]. The aircraft had just departed from Aguas Claras Airport in the municipality of Ocaña [3]. According to reports, three armed men positioned on Cerro El Limón opened fire on the plane using rifles [1].
Three officers sustained injuries during the assault [2]. A spokesperson for the National Police said the agents suffered light wounds [4]. The aircraft was targeted as it ascended, leaving the crew to manage the emergency while under fire.
Authorities are investigating which illegal armed group is responsible for the ambush [5]. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and a specific motive has not yet been confirmed [5].
Local security forces responded to the scene at the airport in Norte de Santander [3]. The investigation continues as officials analyze the trajectory of the gunfire from the hillside to determine how the attackers coordinated the strike [3].
“Three Colombian National Police officers were wounded Friday when armed men fired rifles at their aircraft shortly after takeoff.”
This attack underscores the volatility of the Norte de Santander department, a strategic corridor often contested by various illegal armed groups. By targeting an aircraft during its most vulnerable phase—takeoff—the attackers demonstrated a tactical level of coordination and surveillance of police flight patterns. The use of high-caliber rifles from a geographical vantage point like Cerro El Limón suggests a planned ambush intended to disrupt state aerial surveillance and mobility in the region.
