KHANKALA, February 14 (AVN) - Some 12 to 15 well-organised guerrilla gangs comprising up to 1,000 men are operating in downcountry Chechnya, a source in the Interior Ministry operative group said on Monday.
Separatist formations have been spotted near the localities of Avtury, Achkhoi-Martan, Urus-Martan, Alleroi and several others, the source told the Military News Agency. They are planning to keep their head down and act furtively, he said.
Last week, rebels opened fire at temporary police stations and checkpoints in the villages of Nozhai-Yurt, Achkhoi-Martan, and Argun, and the Cehrvlyonnnaya-Uzlovaya railway station. Last weekend, unidentified criminals fired several salvos at the Russian base in the Grozny suburb of Khankala.
According to operative data, about 800 people maintaining contacts with the rebels have registered as civilians with the federal authorities. These people are the main source of manpower for guerrilla formations, the source stressed.