Former Contras Attack Town, Kill 2 Police Officers
Two police officers were killed and three others wounded Thursday when up to 150 former Contra rebels attacked the northern town of Quilali, radio reports said.
Pro-Sandinista Radio Ya said the former rebels had occupied offices of the state telecommunications company Telcor and were spread out in the area around the town.
Diplomats estimate that at least 400 former rebels have taken up arms again in recent months, saying they have been victims of repression by Sandinista-dominated security forces.
The rearmed Contras also attacked police June 27 in Quilali, killing one civilian and wounding two others.
The U.S.-backed Contras fought for eight years against the former leftist Sandinista government. The rebel army was disbanded last year after the Sandinistas lost elections to a pro-U.S. alliance headed by Violeta Barrios de Chamorro.
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