KHANKALA. March 3 (Interfax-AVN) - Federal forces in Chechnya lost seven men killed and three pieces of equipment and one helicopter destroyed over the week, a source in the headquarters of the Combined Federal Forces in the North Caucasus told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday.
"The largest clash occurred in Argun on Saturday. Three members of the Interior Ministry's special task force and five rebels were killed, and two rebels were wounded and taken prisoner," the source said.
There were 17 clashes with rebel units, including the rebels reporting to field commander Yakub from Shamil Basayev's unit, in the Vedeno district alone. There were also clashes in the Kurchaloi and Shali districts. Eighteen rebels were killed and seven were taken prisoner.
According to the source, the situation in the region remains complicated. Guerillas try to avoid direct clashes and stick to the tactics of firing at federal units and planting mines. Last week, they fired at federals 32 times, including 19 times at night. Sappers defused over 100 explosive devices, including 24 landmines. Nine pieces of ordnance touched off landmines while three landmines exploded on their own.
According to reconnaissance, Basayev has ordered conduction of several demonstrative terrorist acts in large localities of the troubled republic with the use of vehicles in order to disrupt the upcoming referendum. He has also ordered holding terrorist acts in Russia, taking hostages and capturing important installations such as nuclear power plants, television centers, trains transporting people and chemical waste.
"That is the reason why units of federal troops and law- enforcement agencies are stepping up search and reconnaissance activities aimed at disrupting rebel plans," the source said.
According to him, federal servicemen detained 47 suspected rebels, destroyed 21 illegal oil refineries and five dug-outs, and exposed 17 arms caches last week.