Rebel attack leaves 44 dead

Chechen rebels attacked several objects in two districts of Grozny in the evening of August 21. The developments in the Chechen capital began when small groups of rebels, armed with automatic rifles and grenade launchers, opened fire at check-points and polling stations. Policemen say the developments in Grozny resembled the rebel attack in Ingushetia launched two months ago. A military commandant's office, check-points, police patrols and buildings in which polling stations are situated were massively fired from rifles and under-barrel grenade launchers. Witnesses say rebels also arranged posts on several roads. The attackers acted like those in Ingushetia, stopping cars and shooting drivers and passengers dead at the spot if they proved to be officers of security agencies.

"According to available information, rebels sustained heavy losses. Bodies of 18 bandits have already been found. We are in full control of the situation now," a Chechen police officer said.

The exact number of victims is being ascertained. By a Chechen duty police officer's data, 44 people were killed in the rebel attack, 12 of them being civilians. Residents of Grozny evidence most of the civilians were killed by disorderly fire opened by officers of security agencies already after the Mojaheds' retirement.