In a statement released Saturday, the ministry ruled out that the government had given in to the demands of terrorist criminals to free the employees of contract companies working in the Camisea natural gas fields.

"As a result of strong pressure from tactical operations conducted by the Armed Forces and National Police, the narco-terrorist criminals were rounded up and forced to attempt an escape maneuver, releasing the hostages," it said.

The workers were abducted by narco terrorists operating in the Apurimac-Ene River Valley (VRAE) zone last Monday from the village of Kepashiato, located in Cusco region's La Convencion province.

"The government doesn't negotiate with terrorists," Peru's Justice Minister Juan Jimenez said on Thursday in an interview with Panamericana Television.

Earlier, the defense ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that 1,500 soldiers and police were involved in the search and rescue operation.

(END) GCO/GCO/EEP