Reports from southern Peru say at least four police officers have been killed in a shootout with supporters of a renegade former army officer who took over a police station to demand the resignation of President Alejandro Toledo.
Witnesses and local media say the gunbattle broke out early Sunday at the station where hundreds of supporters of the retired army major leading the mutiny, Antauro Humala, were gathered.
On Saturday, Mr. Humala and about 150 armed dissident soldiers attacked the station in the Andahuaylas region, and took 10 officers hostage. It is not clear if any of the hostages are among those killed today.
President Toledo has ordered a state of emergency in the area.
Mr. Humala heads an ultranationalist group. He accuses Mr. Toledo of corruption, and claims the president has sold out Peruvian business interests in favor of investors from Chile - Peru's neighbor and long-time rival.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.
