Four Georgian policemen killed in Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone

Four Georgian policemen died in an exchange of fire with unidentified gunmen on the night of January 26-27 in the Zugdidi district bordering on the self-proclaimed republic of Abkhazia.

"A group of gunmen attacked two police posts in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone in the Zugdidi district killing four police officers," district police chief Kakha Rapala said to reporters.

The personnel of the posts operated in the 12-kilometer security zone that has separated the Georgian and Abkhazian sides after the armed conflict of 1992-1993, he pointed.

The exchange of fire stopped only after an armored carrier with Russian peacekeepers had arrived at the clash site, Rapala said.

"At the sight of the combat vehicle of Russian peacekeepers the attackers stopped fighting and fled," he said.

The attackers numbering about 10 persons had entered the Zugdidi district from Abkhazia, according to the police chief.

"Two attackers were also killed in the skirmish. When they are identified we will be able to say something more definite about the group's nature and affiliation," he said.

Criminal proceedings have been launched in connection with the attack.