17:04, 27 May 2004

Military command reports on 18 rebels destroyed in Chechen mountains

On May 25, federal forces are continuing operations to destroy separatist groups in the Shatoy, Vedeno, and Shali districts of Chechnya, spokesman for the regional headquarters on the counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus Ilya Shabalkin told journalists.

"According to recent data, 18 bandits were destroyed in combats in these districts yesterday," he said. "Military helicopters were used several times," Mr Shabalkin added.

At the same time, he emphasized that "there is no any intensification of the rebel activity, several gangs numbering from five to ten people have been revealed and operations to liquidate them are being conducted now." "These operations may last a few more days," Ilya Shabalkin said.

Source: ITAR-TASS News Agency