Guerrilla attack

Press, 9 August 1980, Page 8

Guerrilla attack

NZPA San Salvador, Leftist guerrillas have at-1 tacked three northern towns, in El Salvador, killing ati least 50 reserve soldiers and a policeman, unofficial sources have said. The police said the attacks' took place in Pbtonico, Dulce Nombre de Maria, and Quezaltepeque, but did not report on casualties. Officials said at least 100 other persons were killed throughout -the country in the previous two days in battles between Leftists and the military, or . in assassinations by extreme Rightists. The ultra-Rightist Maximi-1 liano Hernandez Martinez Brigade claimed responsibility for the deaths of four men found decapitated earlier this week in downtown San Salvador. | In Dulce Nombre de Maria, 48km north of the capital, guerrillas attacked a'

! patrol of 150 reserve solIdiers, killing at least 50, ’ Leftist sources said. Guerrillas occupied the town of Potonico, about 86km north of the capital, . for three hours early on Wednesday. In Quezaltepeque, about 24km north of San Salvador, another group opened fire on the police station, .killing one officer. It was not known if any guerrillas died in the attack. The junta of two army colonels and three civilians, dominated by the Christian Democratic Party, says it is [trying to steer a middle .[course between Rightists .’ and Leftists since the milita‘ry ousted General Carlos - Humberto Romero’s con/servative regime last Octo- ; ber. I Church leaders said : recently that about 5000 people,'haver died in. political violence since January.