KHANKALA. Dec 20 (Interfax-AVN) - A federal serviceman was killed and another seriously wounded in the Leninsky district of Grozny on Wednesday, a spokesman for the unified federal headquarters told Interfax-Military News Agency.
The servicemen were part of an army patrol that came under guerrilla fire when it attempted to block a half-ruined building, the spokesman said. The patrol fired back and destroyed the firing point. The rebel operating it tried to escape but was apprehended. An AKSU assault rifle, a PM pistol and ammunition were seized from him.
Rebels have scaled up activity in the Leninsky district lately, the spokesman said. On Monday afternoon two federal servicemen were caught in a booby trap.
A special operation was held in Grozny on Wednesday to expose rebels hiding in the city. Federals detained eight people on suspicion of involvement in illegal armed formation. Besides, they defused two home-made explosive devices, destroyed a shell that was ready to be used as a landmine, seized 10 grenades and about 1,000 cartridges for small arms, the spokesman said.