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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria under seige by Chechen Killer Korps |
| 2005-10-13 |
| Gunmen attacked a police headquarters and other government buildings in a Russian province near rebel Chechnya on Thursday and a battle was raging in the town, Russian news agencies reported. Several simultaneous attacks were launched in Nalchik, main city of the Kabardino-Balkaria region, and fighting was going on in several parts of the town, Interfax reported, quoting local police. News agencies had no details about the numbers of the attackers but described them as "religious extremists". "At the present moment, federal forces have clashed with certain armed bands. Steps are being taken to eliminate the bandits," Nikolai Shepel, deputy state prosecutor for the region, was quoted as saying by Interfax. Agencies said automatic firing resounded around the town and smoke was rising from the main police building that had come under attack. Children were being evacuated from a school nearby, the agency said. Extra security forces were being drafted into the town. Itar-tass news agency quoted police sources as saying three attackers had been killed and firearms and explosives had been seized. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #4 Here is a map that shows Kabardino-Balkaria (region 5 on the map). It's nestled next to Georgia. |
| Posted by: Halliburton Earthquake/Tsumani Division 2005-10-13 11:00 |
| #3 They'd better steel themselves for the patented Strongly Worded Statement™ from the UN, EU, et al. |
| Posted by: The Caucasus Nerd (Rex Rufus) 2005-10-13 04:06 |
| #2 Police, gunmen in Russia shootout (CNN) -- Police in southern Russia fought an unknown number of gunmen following "guerrilla" attacks on government facilities -- including police stations -- early Thursday, Russian news agencies reported. An official told Interfax news agency that battles were currently under way "virtually everywhere" in the town of Nalchik -- the capital of the southern Russian region of Kabardino-Balkariya. "Security forces are conducting an operation to eliminate the guerillas," the news agency reported, quoting a high-ranking Kabardino-Balkarian Emergency Situations Ministry source. Authorities said children were being evacuated from a number of schools in the city center. The rebels were repelled from attacking Nalchik airport, Interfax reported. Itar-Tass news agency reported security forces had killed three gunmen, confiscating a number of weapons and grenades. At least one member of the police force was wounded in the fighting. There were civilian casualties as well, but exact numbers were not known, said Interfax, quoting army headquarters in Nalchik. Federal forces are said to be surrounding the city, located in a majority Muslim area. "A law enforcement source earlier said that the gunmen launched the attack after security forces detained a group of Wahhabites, who their supporters are currently trying to release," Interfax reported. The Wahhabites are a sect of Islam. Among the government facilities attacked were the Kabardino-Balkarian Interior Ministry and the Federal Security Service (FSB) department, Interfax reported. Black smoke could be seen pouring out of a police station at the Interior Ministry. Other fires were reported in Nalchik. |
| Posted by: 3dc 2005-10-13 03:37 |
| #1 more of the religion of pieces |
| Posted by: 3dc 2005-10-13 02:49 |
