An operation to find, detain and neutralize members of guerilla units is currently underway in the mountainous area of Chechnya's Vedeno district. The operation involves servicemen from the Vostok special battalion, officers from a special riot police unit (OMON) under the Chechen Interior Ministry, local policemen, the military commandant office, and special services, Vostok Commander Sulim Yamadayev told Interfax by phone on Saturday. "The active phase of the operation began two days ago. It was preceded by reconnaissance and search operations that resulted in detecting rebel bases and routes of their movement," Yamadayev said. "Fourteen rebels who put up resistance have been killed in armed clashes over the past two days. Large amounts of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, including those produced abroad, have been seized." Yamadayev said there may have been foreign mercenaries among the killed rebels, which "is suggested by the some of their appearances," he said. Operations are underway in the woods not far from the communities of Tazen-Kale and Ersenoi, Yamadayev said. "None of the operation's participants were killed," he said.
Spokesman for the regional headquarters of the antiterrorist operation in the North Caucasus Col. Ilya Shabalkin confirmed to Interfax by phone that such an operation is continuing in the aforementioned area. "Air forces and artillery are not engaged in the operation. These operations have been thoroughly prepared, and this is what explains their high effectiveness," he said. "No combat activities are being conducted in communities. There have been no casualties among the operation's participants," he said.
| I'm not familiar with the Vostok troops, but it sounds like they might actually be conducting an intel-driven operation. Good hunting! |
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