20 supposed militants liquidated in Chechnya this year

The MIA of Chechnya has summed up its achievements in the first quarter of 2010. According to the official data, as a result of special operations conducted from the start of the year in the territory of the republic, 20 suspected militants were killed, 54 more members of illegal armed formations (IAFs) and their helpers were detained.

"Among the liquidated militants - Chingiskhan Gishaev, a notorious head of a criminal grouping and a member of the closest retinue of Dokku Umarov, and Arabian mercenary Abu Khaled," said a source. "Besides, as a result of successful special operations, during this period, 54 militants and their helpers were detained, and nine former IAF participants and two recruiters of militants were urged to surrender.

The spokesman of law enforcement bodies also noted that during this period not a single terror act was committed in the territory of Chechnya. "Also, in the first quarter of 2010, 22 militants' hideouts and hiding places were found in different districts of the republic, from where 125 small firearms, over ten kilos of explosives, 17 land mines and 6000 units of ammunition were withdrawn," said the militia officer. At this stage, the main task of law enforcers is to ensure safety of the population during the forthcoming May holidays.