KHANKALA. July 22 (Interfax-AVN) - Chechen rebels have blasted nine federal armored vehicles since July 15, a source in the unified federal headquarters told Interfax-Military News Agency.
"Extremists actively plant mines on routes of military convoys, involving local residents in those operations," the source said.
Federal sappers have defused over 200 explosive devices including 14 powerful landmines in the past week.
Meanwhile, rebels attacked federal positions 39 times including 27 times at night. Engagements involving federals and guerrillas occurred in the city of Grozny and town of Argun as well as in the Shelkovskaya, Vedeno and Achkhoi-Martan districts.
Last week federal forces carried out special operations to detect extremists in the Achkhoi-Martan, Kurchaloi, Shali and Vedeno districts. Field commander Khasanov was detained in the Gekhi village.
As a result of search and reconnaissance operations, federal servicemen found 18 arms and ammo caches, blasted 29 dug-outs and shelters as well as a cave. Some 150kg of explosives were confiscated. Over 50 suspected rebels were detained.