KHANKALA. Feb 8 (Interfax-AVN) - Federal forces in Chechnya have destroyed 16 rebels in search and reconnaissance operations this week.
The headquarters of the federal force in the North Caucasus told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday that Timur Avtayev widely known for his extraordinary brutality was identified among the killed.
Seven winter bases of the rebels and 59 secret arms and ammunition depots were also destroyed. Federals seized 128 portable anti-tank grenade launchers, 156 pieces of small-arms, some 140,000 units of ammunition, some 100kg of explosives and 760 grenades of various modifications. Army sappers defused 14 landmines.
Rebels have opened fire at checkpoints, village police departments and federal positions 45 times since Sunday. The highest terrorist activity has been registered in the Kurchaloi, Shali and Achkhoi-Martan districts of Chechnya, as well as in the cities of Grozny and Argun.