Methods of combating militants are more important than counting them, Chechen experts say

Local experts believe that power agencies have no exact data about the number of militants in the Chechen Republic, but note that not the present number of militants in Northern Caucasus matters, but the way the power agents could cope with small groups of militants.

Experts believe that none of the power agencies possesses precise data about the number of militants acting in the republic, and, most likely, every agency gives data under their own reasons.

"For the recent five years Ramzan Kadyrov kept talking about 50-70 "shaitans" running in Chechen mountains in search of shelter. Yesterday he said about 196 militants. Militaries and the FSB stick in the last three years to the figure of 400-500 persons. I think nobody can really give precise figures of active militants," said Aslanbek, a member of a local nongovernmental organization (NGO).

"In my opinion, the problem is not in the number of militants, active today in Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan, but in power agencies' inability to cope with small militants' groups for a decade already. The guerrilla movement would not survive for a day without support of the population. It is an axiom that everyone knows," said Magomed, an activist of another NGO.

He sees an indication here that the actions of federal bodies and power agencies, as well as of local authorities and power agents are causing antagonism in a certain part of local population.