Explosion in Grozny was organized by Gakaev brothers, Chechen authorities assert

Representatives of Chechen law enforcement agencies treat a terror act, which occurred today in Grozny as a revenge of militants for the operation, conducted in the village of Galashki. The terror act was organized by Gakaev brothers, the republic's authorities believe.

Today, at 12:40 a.m., in Baisangurov Street in Grozny, at the entrance to the store "Voentorg", two explosions occurred. According to the Investigatory Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF), the explosions killed three soldiers, and three more persons were injured. Investigators found fragments of 'shahid belt' at the place of explosions.

"There was a strong bang, then, the alarm of several machines was activated. Then the street was cordoned off by soldiers and police, and no one was allowed to walk in direction of 'Voentorg' and from there. There were rumours that a military vehicle was blown up and several persons were killed and injured. Then, there was information that one or two suicide bombers blown themselves up," the "Caucasian Knot" was told by Aslan N., a local resident.

According to a top-ranking official of Chechen law enforcement agencies, the terror act, committed by suicide bombers, could be a revenge for the death of Zaurbek Avdorkhanov, a well-known militant commander, his brother and another militant.

"Our leaders have declared that the Avdorkhanov brothers and the third militant were killed in the village of Galashki of the Sunzha District of Ingushetia as a result of a carefully planned special operation. I believe that today's terror act in Grozny is an act of militants' revenge for the death of one of their leaders," the source has stated.

However, the Chechen law enforcement agencies do not rule out other versions of the incident.

"I believe that the first suicide bombing in this year was not accidentally committed on August 6. Perhaps, by this manner, the leaders of armed underground decided to mark their capture of Grozny, committed in August 1996, which they loudly called 'Operation 'Jihad'. Today marks exactly 16 years since that day," emphasized another representative of the republic' law enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Chechnya, believes that the explosion in Grozny was organized by brothers Muslim and Khusein Gakaev.