KHANKALA. April 1 (Interfax-AVN) - Paratroopers of the unified federal troops group in the North Caucasus have seized two portable SAM systems while carrying out search and reconnaissance operations in southern Chechnya with a goal to destroy rebels and their reserve bases, a spokesman for the group headquarters told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday.
In addition, the paratroopers found four 122mm artillery shells, 12 small-arms pieces, over 1,500 cartridges and a large amount of drugs.
According to the spokesman, the paratroopers were tasked to eliminate equipped rebel camps and reserve bases until extremists reach them from Georgia through mountain paths. At the same time, servicemen are searching for arms and ammo caches.
The paratroopers are engaged in surveillance in the vicinity of the Khatuni and Gardali villages. They have found many makeshift explosive devices planted in the mouth of the Bulk River. They found up to 10 caches with ammo mainly for small- arms.
Reconnaissance and search operations are underway.