In Paraguay, 2 police officers killed in battle with guerrillas

Paraguay: Guerrillas kill 2 police officers

ASUNCION, Paraguay — Paraguayan officials say two police officers have been killed in a confrontation with a guerrilla group in the north of the country.

Interior Minister Rafael Filizzola says the clash involved five or six members of the Paraguayan People’s Army. At least one guerrilla is wounded after the confrontation with a team of about 50 special agents.

The group has sown fear with kidnappings for ransom in the name of political change to help the rural poor.

Paraguay’s president and army have assumed emergency powers resembling martial law in five northern states to pursue the rebels.

The police were killed on Thursday.