KHANKALA. April 1 (Interfax-AVN) - The command of the unified federal troops group in the North Caucasus forecasts escalation of rebel activities in Chechnya later in spring after the mountain paths open on the border with Georgia, a high- ranking official in the group headquarters told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday.
"The opening of those paths from late April to early May will enable rebel groups to cross into Chechnya," the official said.
According to him, "the factor is capable of influencing the situation in Chechnya and prompting an escalation of rebel activities." "Following orders of their leaders, extremists are planning to scale up terror against officials of local administrations, law-enforcement bodies and local residents who cooperate with federal bodies," he said.
"At present the Georgian Pankisi gorge hosts some 400 Chechen guerillas and mercenaries," the official stressed.
He said he was skeptical about the Georgian leadership's readiness to establish order in the gorge. "If the Georgian authorities had wanted to thwart guerilla activities on the republic's territory they would have already done it," the official added.
At present federal forces in Chechnya are combating to 1,500 rebels including 250 mercenaries.