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Bolivian coca growers release 6 hostages after armed clash that left 2 dead, 3 still missing

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Soldiers stand around the coffin of Bolivian soldier Oscar Gironda during a wake at the military barracks in La Paz, Bolivia, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. A group of locals armed with rifles and knives attacked police and soldiers who were destroying illegal coca crops in the community of Miraflores, near the town of Apolo, 150 km. ( 90 miles ) north of La Paz killing a police officer, an army lieutenant and injuring at least 20 others, authorities said. It is believed to be the first fatal attack on a coca eradication team since Evo Morales, a coca-growers’ union leader, was elected president nearly eight years ago. (AP Photo/Juan Karita) (The Associated Press)

Soldiers stand around the coffin of Bolivian soldier Oscar Gironda during a wake at the military barracks in La Paz, Bolivia, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. A group of locals armed with rifles and knives attacked police and soldiers who were destroying illegal coca crops in the community of Miraflores, near the town of Apolo, 150 km. ( 90 miles ) north of La Paz killing a police officer, an army lieutenant and injuring at least 20 others, authorities said. It is believed to be the first fatal attack on a coca eradication team since Evo Morales, a coca-growers’ union leader, was elected president nearly eight years ago. (AP Photo/Juan Karita) (The Associated Press)

Authorities say coca growers who oppose President Evo Morales have freed six hostages held after a weekend clash that killed a solider and a police officer.

Felipe Caceres is vice minister of social defense and he said Monday that three other people remain missing. Caceres says that the six released are police officers and soldiers who belonged to a coca eradication brigade.

Officials reported earlier that 10 other members of the joint military-police team suffered gunshot wounds and 10 were injured by blows in Saturday's attack in a rural area of the remote municipality of Apolo, about 90 miles (55 kilometers) north of La Paz.

It was the first fatal attack on an eradication team since Morales was first elected nearly eight years ago.