00:27, 25 August 2005

Blast kills one, wounds two in Ingushetia

Two powerful blasts seriously wounded Prime Minister Ibrahim Malsagov of Ingushetia and killed one of his bodyguards, Amir Tsichoyev, who died at hospital. Another three people, including passers-by, sustained light wounds.

According to various sources, Mr Malsagov was wounded in his hand, shank, and head.

The prime minister's motorcade was blown up by a bomb planted on the roadside near a marketplace in Nazran's Oltiyevo district at about 2.25 pm MSK, says ITAR-TASS.

Mr Malsagov was going to work from home after lunch. Two explosive devices were remotely detonated at an interval of 10-20 seconds on his way, Ingushetia's acting Minister of Internal Affairs Beslan Khamkhoyev, told Interfax. The first blast occurred just 200 meters away from the prime minister's home, says Ingushetia.ru.

The first blast stopped the car of the guards and the second went off right near Mr Malsagov's car. The head of government attempted to drive himself, but he lost consciousness, according to the NTV channel.

Terrorist act in Ingushetia