GROZNY. June 17 (Interfax-AVN) - Ten rebels have been killed in a series of special operations in Chechnya's Shali district, a spokesman for the regional headquarters of the anti-guerilla operation in the North Caucasus told Interfax-Military News Agency on Thursday.
Two were killed by federal troops and units with the Chechen presidential security service when a group of several dozen rebels tried to enter the village of Avtury to rob local residents and stock up on food supplies. Their plans were thwarted thanks to properly arranged ambush activities. Surviving rebels managed to flee outside the village. Traces found on the scene show that there were wounded people among the attackers.
Another eight members of this group were found dead a few kilometers from Avtury early Thursday morning. They are reported to have died of injuries sustained in the armed clash.
A search for the remaining rebels is underway.
Success of the operation became possible thanks to timely information from former rebel gang members, who realized the criminal nature of their actions and repented, the spokesman said. Now they are helping Chechen law-enforcement agencies to thwart rebel sallies.