Peru sets to rescue hostages held by Indians
A team of government negotiators went to Peru's northern Amazon jungle on Saturday in a bid to free two journalists who were abducted by local Indians, said the government.

Interior Minister Felix Murazzo told reporters the team was composed of police agents and officials of the regional government.

Luis Pena and Arrobo Samaniego were taken hostage by the Aguarunas Indians in the far-off hamlet of Pampaenza in the Amazonas department near Peru's border with Ecuador on Friday morning.

According to local media, the two journalists were abducted as the Indians were infuriated by widespread media reports which accused their groups of killing four government health workers in the region a week ago.

The Indians also demanded negotiation with officials of the central government, but Murazzo told reporters he decided to send a regional-level team because "it would take longer" to dispatch a mission from the capital.

Some reports said the Aguarunas have warned of more drastic measures if they are arrested for the alleged murder of health workers.

The bodies of the four health workers were discovered last week. Media speculated that they were either killed by drug traffickers or Aguarunas as the tribe has aggressively defended its territory against ranchers and oil companies' explorations.