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9. Operation ‘Chavin de Huantar’

When the Japanese Ambassador to Peru was taken hostage inside his home, the President called upon the world’s leading military expert to devise a rescue plan. The terrorists were highly trained and the ambassador’s residence provided a perfect view of the surroundings. No one could get close to the building undetected and they threatened to kill a hostage each time an aircraft flies over it.

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To gain the element of surprise, a tunnel had to be dug without the use of loud machinery. It took 122 days to prepare but, against all odds, operation ‘Chavin de Huantar’ was an overwhelming success. Within 20 minutes Peruvian forces eliminated all 14 culprits, losing two of their own Commandos and one hostage in the process. Japan’s ambassador was evacuated right away, using the same tunnel as a safe exit.