19:57, 27 December 2003

Most part of rebels who penetrated in Dagestan was destroyed, according to the military

The most part of the gang acting on the territory of Dagestan has been liquidated, the Commander of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Army General Anatoly Kvashnin, told journalists. According to him, Russian special operations forces captured two rebels of the gang in mountain districts of Dagestan on December 26. It follows from their evidence that the large part of the rebels has been destroyed before as a result of air strikes, another part is buried under a snow avalanche. The operation to search for and destroy members of the gang who are still alive is going on in Dagestan now, the general noted.

To remind, a group from 20 to 60 people in number, according to different data, rushed in the Dagestani village of Shauri on the night of December 14-15. The Russian border guards who were pursuing them were ambushed and shot down. 9 border guards were killed as a result. Later the rebels fell back, dividing into three of four groups. They have been repeatedly stricken by air forces and artillery during the search and pursuit.

Editors note: See also the article "Dagestani, not Chechen militants fight in Tsuntinsky district".

Source: RosBusinessConsulting News Agency