Russia Troops Blockading Chechnya's Large City ArgunRussian Federal troops are blockading Chechnya's third-largest city of Argun in an effort to liquidate two rebel groups, Russian news agencies reported.The Interfax quoted an Interior Ministry official as saying rebels attacked a column of Russian federal troops on Monday and triggered a subsequent clash, causing casualties from both sides. "Argun is now fully blockaded and there is no access to the city," said Akhmed Dokayev, head of the Interior Ministry's internal affairs department. Dokayev said the rebels, including the notorious Wahhabi members, were well prepared for the attack. "They are well-armed, using all types of rifles and grenade launchers," he added. Earlier Monday, the Itar-tass cited a military spokesman as saying that several rebels had been killed and more than 10, including two Wahhabi members, were arrested. The special police and the interior troops also confiscated a large number of weapons and ammunition, he said, adding that the operation "is entering the final phase." |
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