KHANKALA. Jan 20 (Interfax-AVN) - Sappers of the unified federal troops group in the North Caucasus have prevented three terrorist acts in Chechnya.
"Three terrorist acts were prevented in the Zavodskoy district of Grozny, near the Verkhny Suvorov-Yurt village of the Gudermes district and near the Gikalovsky village of the Grozny rural district as a result of efficient use of special equipment and skilful operations of sappers," the group's press service reported on Monday.
Engineering units checked over 1,000km of roads in the past 48 hours.
Federal groups continue searching for caches with arms, ammo and explosives set up by guerillas near populated localities.
Guerilla leaders are trying hard to destabilize the situation in the troubled republic and disrupt the referendum on the Chechen constitution. "According to available information, Aslan Maskhadov ordered leaders of bandit gangs under his control to step up subversive, propaganda and recruitment activity in the republic," the press service said.
Rebels have stepped up recruitment of young men in the Nadterechnaya, Achkhoi-Martan and Urus-Martan districts of the republic. At the same time guerillas distribute leaflets with threats to local authorities, law-enforcers, employees of schools and hospitals. In particular, such leaflets were found in a school in the Kurchaloi district.
"Guerillas introduced a sort of exam for young people threatened and deceived to become members of bandit formations. To prove their worthiness, teenagers have to organize and hold a terrorist or sabotage act on their own against Chechens who cooperate with local forces. Such a test was prevented by a federal unit in the Kurchaloi village on Sunday," the press service said.