Naval postgraduate school monterey, california thesis

2. 
Phase II: Approach and Assault 
One of the most fascinating aspects of Operation CHAVIN DE HUANTAR was 
the ingenious approach to the target site. The MRTA terrorists never imagined that they 
would be overtaken from underground. Throughout the four months of planning and 
preparation, nine tunnels were dug underneath the residence in an astonishing feat of 
engineering; the tunnels started from rented government homes across from the main 
street of the residence, under the streets, under the perimeter wall, through the garden 
area, and underneath the actual residence. These tunnels not only provided an excellent 
way of infiltrating the target area undetected, but also provided secured areas to conduct 
surveillance, reconnaissance, and last minute planning. Two persons could fit abreast 
inside the tunnels; they were well ventilated, had proper lighting, and padded floors to 
eliminate noise. The tunnels were connected by three tactical operating centers, with 
communications equipment, planning tables and charts, and a unique alarm system based 
on red lights that would light up signaling that all pre-conditions on the target were met.
On execution day, all 140 members of the assault force were ordered to enter the 
tunnels and assume their respective positions. They proceeded to do this three times until 
all the pre-established conditions were met to conduct the assault, the main one being at 
least 13 MRTA members downstairs in one location, preferably in the dining area, so as 
to kill as many of them as possible with an explosive charge. 
Once 13 of the MRTA terrorists were located on the first floor, Vice Admiral 
(ret.) Giampietri gave the code signal and opened the entrance door latch to the upstairs 
courtyard. At that time, Gen. Hermosa Rios called Vladimiro Montesinos and informed 
him that the assault force was ready. Montesinos called Fujimori over the phone and in 
turn informed him of the status on the target. Fujimori proceeded to give the go ahead.
At 1521 hours, the assault force began a five-second countdown that would signal the 

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detonation of three explosive charges underneath the residence. Immediately following 
the explosions, the area was flooded by Army commandos and UEC Marines from all 
directions; special teams with specific areas of responsibilities divided the target into nine 
areas according to their respective breaching and coordination points.
Within minutes, the Japanese residence was under the control of 140 commandos 
from the rescue force. A lone terrorist that had barricaded himself on the second story 
held his position and fought off Army commandos for another 30 minutes or so until two 
commandos came down from the rooftop with a roof demolitions charge and finally 
neutralized him. A sniper-observer team from across the street informed the two 
commandos where to place the charge via radio communications in order to kill this last 
remaining MRTA terrorist. Once the target was secured, 25 members of the rescue force 
lay injured, two of them had been killed, and one hostage (Carlos Giusti