FARC attacks Colombian oil well, kills 5

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PUERTO ASIS, Colombia, July 5 (UPI) -- A guerrilla army attacked an oil installation in southern Colombia, killing five people and injuring three others, military officials said.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia attacked the Ecopetrol oil well in Puerto Asis Wednesday with explosives and small arms fire, Colombia Reports said.

"It was a demented attack against the civilian population. Units of the 25th Infantry Battalion have been sent with the objective of launching offensive operations against those responsible for this criminal action," the Colombian army said in a statement.

FARC guerrillas have attacked cities like Puerto Asis along the Ecuadorean border, which Colombian authorities said is a strategic area. The guerrillas can launch attacks in Colombia then cross the border into Ecuador to avoid pursuit by the army, Colombia Reports said.