Peruvian Minister of Defense Pedro Cateriano said Wednesday the government had decided to increase security personnel at key points of the Camisea gas pipeline, over fears of a terrorist attack.

The announcement was made days after Shining Path remnants attacked a Cusco airstrip, and set fire to three helicopters that were being used for the Camisea pipeline.

Cateriano said he had met with executives form Transportadora de Gas del Peru (TGP) – the firm operating the pipeline – in order to address security concerns, Peru21 reported.

“We have made immediate decisions,” Cateriano said, “to increase the provision [security] provisions that exist at key operating points at the pipeline.”

Furthermore, following news of the airstrip attack, former Energy Minister Carlos Herrera Descalzi warned that a halt to Camisea’s operations could mean up to a 40 percent increase to the country’s energy prices.

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