Policeman injured in clash with guerillas in Chechnya

GROZNY. July 21 (Interfax-AVN) - One police officer was injured when his unit clashed with a militant group in the Achkhoi-Martan district of Chechnya.

"A shootout erupted when policemen were trying to detain Islam Usmakhadzhiyev, one of the leaders of a guerilla group active in the Achkhoi-Martan district and Grozny," Interior Ministry sources told Interfax.

The militants opened fire with under-barrel grenade launchers and automatic weapons when their car was spotted by police units in the village of Katyr-Yurt.

The policemen could not use large-caliber weapons because the clash broke out in a densely populated residential area. The guerillas managed to escape.