Bogota, November 23 (RHC)-- A truck rigged with explosives detonated outside a police station in Colombia amid mass protests in the country that have been marred by violence and looting.   The blast took place  in Santander de Quilichao, a town some 500km from the nation’s capital, Bogota.

Three police officers were killed and seven more wounded, the government secretary of the Cauca Department, Jaime Asprilla, said.   Local media reported that at least 10 people were injured in the explosion.

Defense Minister Carlos Homles Trujillo condemned the “heinous terrorist attack,” vowing to identify and punish the perpetrators.

Footage has circulated on social media showing firefighters arriving at the scene of the incident, with police sirens wailing in the background.