14:22, 24 January 2019

Chechen MIA reports more killed militants in 2018

A law enforcer. Ingushetia. Photo: REUTERS/Kazbek Basayev

In Chechnya, in 2018, 21 alleged members of the armed underground were killed, whereas in 2017 the number was 18, the republic's Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has reported, thus confirming the data of the "Caucasian Knot" on the number of militants killed and suspected of involvement in the armed underground.

According the MIA, 10 participants in illegal armed formations (IAFs) surrendered and confessed; other 56 were detained on suspicion of extremism.

The same data on the number of killed alleged militants was voiced out by the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov.

The authorities treat the republic as the safest place in Russia, although the number of killed alleged militants has only increased over the year, said Aslanbek, a resident of Chechnya.

"If now, almost 10 years after the abolition of the counterterrorist operation (CTO) regime, dozens of real or imaginary militants are killed, is this victory over terrorism? This is more likely a reason to reflect on what is happening," said Marina, a resident of Chechnya.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 24, 2019 at 06:19 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Source: CK correspondent