KHANKALA. July 25 (Interfax-AVN) - There has been an armed clash between a task force from federal law enforcement agencies and a rebel group near the village of Avtury, Chechnya's Shali district, spokesman for the regional headquarters of the anti- guerilla operation in the North Caucasus Colonel Ilya Shabalkin told Interfax on Friday.
He said three rebels were killed in the exchange of fire. He said that the task force had been tipped off and staged several ambushes on a possible rebel route.
"Seven armed rebels moving at a distance of 5-7 meters from each other fell into the ambush late at night. Loudspeakers were used to urge them to lay down arms and leave the woods. In response they opened fire," Shabalkin said.
"The task force responded and three rebels were killed in the exchange. The rest scattered. Steps are being taken to apprehend them," he said.
The killed rebels in the operation are being identified. Their bodies were given to the people of Avtury for burial.
A Kalashnikov assault rifle, an underbarrel grenade- launcher, rounds for it and grenades were seized from the site.
There was one more clash in the Nozhai-Yurt district, deputy commander of the Combined Federal Force Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Berzeitis told Interfax.
He said a reconnaissance unit of the 104th paratrooper regiment discovered a rebel group. Three rebels were killed in the exchange and two wounded. Efforts are being taken to seize all members of the group. There were no losses among the servicemen.