KHANKALA. Aug 27 (Interfax-AVN) - Federal forces in Chechnya have been carrying out an operation to liquidate a strong guerrilla gang, surrounded near Galsan-Chu village of Nojai-Yurt district.
"Some 60 guerrillas, supposedly under Shamil Basaev command, have been blocked near Galsan-Chu on August 20. A special operation to eliminate them has been underway ever since," a source at the unified federal headquarters told Interfax-Military News Agency.
He said that "basing on radio interceptions, there are mercenaries amid the rebels blocked, some of them coming from Arab nations." Commanders have not yet committed land troops in combat operations to avoid personnel attrition. The Chechen fighters are shelled by artillery and army aviation.
"It is too early to discuss losses among guerrillas now. We will cite statistics once the operation is completed and terrain mopped up," the source added.