Ingush police and Russian military battle guerrillas in OrdzhonikidzevskayaRuslan Isayev, North Caucasus - The local police force and Russian soldiers today surrounded a house in the Ingush village of Ordzhonikidzevskaya where unidentified guerrillas had taken shelter. The fighting that ensued reportedly resulted in casualties to both sides as well as civilians.
This morning an Ingush special OMON police unit and the Federal Security Service (FSB) tried to arrest several guerrillas staying at a house on Suvorova Street. But the men resisted and shooting broke out. It is not yet clear if the men were Chechen resistance fighters.
Russian soldiers and armored vehicles arrived on the scene soon after, making it impossible for anyone to go near to the area. However, from as far away as two or three kilometers one could hear the sounds of grenade launchers and sub-machine gun fire.
Among the casualties were two OMON policemen, Geroyev and Pugoyev, who are now in the local hospital.
An operation of this magnitude is unprecedented in Ingushetia. This land that adjoins Chechnya was once a safe haven for hundreds of thousands of Chechen refugees who left their country after the second Russian invasion in 1999. But since last year, violence has surfaced in Ingushetia and adverse developments have gained momentum in recent months.
Prague Watchdog editors contributed to this report.
P.S. The fighting was over and all the 4-5 guerrillas killed by late night. The editors. (T/E) |
