Over a hundred victims of guerrilla attack in GroznyRuslan Isayev, North Caucasus, August 23 – In the latest attack by Chechen guerrillas in Grozny on the night of August 21 and into the early morning hours of August 22, over one hundred people were killed or wounded, according to a source in the Chechen Interior Ministry. The guerrillas staged a repeat of their attack in the Ingush city of Nazran two months ago.
Almost all municipal districts were involved in the attack. The guerrillas established checkpoints on almost all principal roads leading into the city, and stopped all vehicles. Then, without warning, any person identified as a security or military employee, was fired upon.
As a result, 25 Chechen policemen were killed, as well as 26 federal soldiers, 3 members of Chechen presidential security forces (so called “Kadyrovites”), and 12 civilians. 36 people were wounded.
There has been no official information released on the attack. Moreover, this PW correspondent noticed little trace of the conflict in Grozny on Sunday. All cars and bodies were hurriedly removed, leaving only bloodstains on the streets of the city.
Many inhabitants of the city are convinced that such attacks will continue, and so they are leaving Grozny. It is possible that only half of the inhabitants will remain in the city for the presidential election scheduled for Sunday, April 29. (H/E,T)
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