23 June 2004, 12:52
Large rebel group detected in Chechnya
A large group of 50 rebels was detected in the Shali district of Chechnya at night. The combat between them and police officers started near the village of Avtury at about 23:00 Moscow time on June 22.
At first, a rebel group numbering up to 20 people assaulted a check-point with police officers from Khakasiya. Officers of the Chechen president's security service who came to help the policemen found another group numbering up to 30 people. Helicopters of the Russian Defense Ministry were used to destroy the rebels. A special operation to destroy the rebels continued at daybreak, a spokesman for the headquarters of the Joint Group of Forces said.
Source: REGNUM News Agency
