Thirteen gunmen were killed and another 59 detained in Chechnya
during a large-scale anti-terror drill that was held in southern
Russia, Russian Interior Troops commander Nikolai Rogozhkin said on
Thursday.
According to General Rogozhkin, during the four-day war games
which ended on Thursday, another 400 people were detained on
suspicion of committing crimes, 270 of whom were on wanted lists,
the Itar-Tass news agency reported.
The general described the situation in the southern region as
difficult but stable.
"The situation is under control; now we are concerned over
regions adjoining Chechnya," he said, adding that the number of
terrorists and other armed criminals "does not reduce as quick as
we would like to."
The commander told journalists on Monday when the exercises
began that "real gunmen may be detained" during the anti-terror
drill in southern Russia.
"During the exercises, all security services and law enforcement
agencies are taking real measures, and real results of these
measures will be yielded," Rogozhkin indicated.
Rogozhkin said the outcome of the drill showed that southern
Russia had enough forces and means to fight against terrorists.
About 32,000 people representing all law enforcement agencies
took part in the drill, the purpose of which was to "improve
performance under a state of emergency by using new information and
telecommunication technologies."
(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2006)
