16 February 2010, 21:00
16 casualties of special operation identified in Ingushetia
Inspectors managed to identify 16 out of 22 persons who perished as a result of a combat clash in the Sunzha District of Ingushetia.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 11-12 a broad-scale special operation against participants of the armed underground was held in the vicinity of Arshty village, Sunzha District of Ingushetia, which borders on Chechnya.
In the first days after the special operation, 9 casualties were identified, both suspected militants and peaceful residents.
On February 15, seven more casualties were identified; all of them were residents of the Sunzha District, aged 19-24, as reported by the "Interfax" with reference to the law enforcement bodies of the republic.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 15 near Arshty village, Sunzha District of Ingushetia, in the course of additional examination of the place of the skirmish, which happened on February 11, eight more bodies were found.
According to the ICPO (Investigation Committee at the Prosecutor's Office) of Russia, in the evening on February 12 14 bodies of suspected militants were found in the place of the special operation. Later it was found that four casualties were peaceful residents of Chechnya, who were busy gathering ramson (broad-leaved garlic). Also, local residents assert that the number of civilians killed in the operation made from seven to fourteen persons.
The battle in Ingushetia burst out on February 11 in the morning in the villages of Dattykh and Arshty. The counterterrorist operation (CTO) regime was introduced in these villages, and the total strength of the supposed group of militants was about 25 persons.
Last month, the CTO regime was announced on January 18 within the territory of dwelling settlements Yandare and Surkhakhi, since operative agents had information that armed militants could hide there. On January 27, the CTO regime in this district was cancelled, but on that very day it was announced in the Sunzha District - in the villages of Alkhasty, Arshty, Dattykh, Verkhni Alkun, Nizhni Alkun, Muzhichi and Galashki.
