The World : Contras Battle for Airstrip

Rebels bombarded Nicaraguan territory with mortar fire and launched a 2,500-man offensive to recapture a strategic contra airstrip and base in Nicaragua a mile from the Costa Rican border, a clandestine rebel radio station reported. The Nicaraguan Defense Ministry, confirming the attack, said, “The mercenary forces have launched at least 20 armed attacks against La Penca from Costa Rican territory, causing the death of two combatants from the Sandinista People’s Army.” Government forces overran the rebel supply depot and base in June, forcing 500 contras to flee to Costa Rica.