GROZNY/MOSCOW. Oct 29 (Interfax-AVN) - Special-purpose units of the federal forces have launched an operation to search for Chechen rebels involved in the crash of the MI-8 Hip helicopter that occurred on Tuesday afternoon, a source in the unified federal headquarters told Interfax-Military News Agency.
The helicopter was shot down in the vicinity of the main federal base in the Grozny suburb of Khankala. According to early reports, rebels used a portable air defense missile system to track down the aircraft.
"Special-purpose units are engaged in the operation to search for the rebels. They are searching for the bandits and the place from which the missile was fired," the source said.
Lieutenant General Stanislav Kavun, deputy commander of the Interior Ministry troops, earlier told Interfax-AVN that the MI-8 was shot down in the vicinity of a helicopter pad in Khankala. "By early reports, the helicopter was shot down as it approached the helipad. Four people - the crew and passengers - have been killed," he said.