GROZNY. Aug 7 (Interfax-AVN) - Security measures have been tightened in Chechnya after a vehicle carrying servicemen from the local military commandant's office hit a mine in the district center of Shatoi.
"Road patrols and sapper units have been reinforced," a source in the Chechen Military Commandant's Office told Interfax.
"This terrorist attack against Chechens working at the military commandant's office was not accidental," the source said. "On August 4, 129 local residents assumed their duties in companies of the military commandant's office. What happened in Shatoi is an attempt on the part of the rebels to intimidate their fellow townsmen cooperating with the authorities," he said.
According to updated data, 10 servicemen were killed and eight more injured when the GAZ-66 vehicle they were riding on hit a landmine.
"Rebels failed to attain their goal, the terrorist act did not make local servicemen retire from commandant's offices or refuse to serve. On the contrary, the criminals got irreconcilable enemies, as fellows of the killed are going to find and punish the guilty persons," the source said.