KHANKALA, February 1 (AVN) - Federal aviation is shifting the main area of its strikes to the Argun and Vedeno gorges, a spokesman for the unified federal headquarters said on Tuesday.
More than 70 percent of 180 strikes inflicted by federal SU-24 and SU-25 planes and MI-24 helicopters in the past 24 hours aimed at rebel positions in those gorges, the spokesman told the Military News Agency. As a result, up to 35 guerrilla strong points and fortifications, two air defence systems, four large-calibre machine-guns, five mortar squads and two command points were eliminated.
Federal helicopters also attacked rebel positions at three strategic heights to support the airborne troopers who recently landed in the Argun gorge. Attack planes and frontline bombers inflicted strikes on three mountain bases in the canyon. They scattered two guerrilla detachments totalling over 100 men which tried to change locations. Three road blocks were set up on their way and on other mountain paths.
The spokesman declined to give information on losses among both federals and guerrillas.