MIA: 75 militants liquidated in Chechnya since the start of year

During almost 10 months of 2010, 75 members of the armed underground were assassinated in the territory of Chechnya, including three militant leaders; and more than 160 militants were detained. These data were presented at the meeting of law enforcement officials in Grozny. Observers believe them to be overestimated.

On October 21, Muslim Isaev, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Chechen Republic, made his report on the results of Chechen law enforcement bodies for ten months of this year at the joint sitting of the leadership of the Chechen Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and the Temporary Operative Grouping of the Russian MIA.

"Since the start of the year, as a result of special operations, 75 members of illegal armed formations (IAFs) were liquidated, including three leaders of bandit groupings, as well as the Arab mercenary, who was engaged in training terrorists. Besides, power agents detained more than 160 militants and persuaded 39 more fighters to surrender," said Mr Isaev.

The Deputy Minister also noted that in the same period of time 53 hideouts with weapons and ammunition were discovered and liquidated, over 230 firearms, about 19,000 units of ammunition, more than 270 shells, mines and bombs, over 40 self-made explosive devices and about 150 kilograms of explosives were confiscated.

The above data of the Chechen MIA caused no trust in some local experts and public activists.

"How could power agents liquidate 75 militants, detain more than 160 and persuade 39 more to surrender in the territory of our Republic, when Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov keeps saying for several years that 'Chechnya only has from 50 to 70 remaining 'shaitans'' (the name used by Chechen leaders for militants, - note of the "Caucasian Knot")?" a local expert, who asked not to disclose his name, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

At the same time the activist of one of human rights organizations of the republic did not rule out that the number of those liquidated and detained militants could include persons, which had nothing to do with the armed underground in any way.