Mortar Bomb event in Norte de Santander, Colombia on Wed 4th February 2026

On 4 February 2026, in La Angalia (Tibu, Norte de Santander), the Colombian military and air force carried out artillery shelling, airstrikes, and a final sweep by a special forces unit on positions of the Northeastern War Front of the ELN in the early hours, killing at least 10 combatants, including one of their leaders, injuring 15, and arresting three others. The operation included initial shelling from ground troops using 155 mm mortar fire. After the airstrikes, special military forces swept the area, engaging in exchanges of fire with remaining ELN members, and seized an unspecified number of short and long firearms, ammunition, several drones, and anti-drone systems. Days later, the Colombian Institute of Forensic Medicine confirmed that it had received seven bodies following the operation, one of whom was a minor. At least 10 fatalities.