MOSCOW, January 10 (AVN) - As many as 26 servicemen of the Interior Ministry troops were killed and over 30 wounded in a fight near the Chechen village of Dzhalka, a spokesman for the unified federal headquarters said on Monday.
The number of victims could have been much higher if not for army units which arrived at the site and saved the Interior Ministry troops from total elimination, the spokesman told the Military News Agency.
In Gudermes, guerrillas are still holding the building of a local school and civilian hostages. Fierce fight is also in progress near the village of Kharachoi. According to reconnaissance data, over 2,000 rebels are defending the area with the help of powerful fortifications.