The southern branch of the Russian Interior Ministry has neutralised more than 40 active members of bands since the beginning of this year. A source in the Interior Ministry told Itar-Tass on Wednesday that the number did not include gunmen who were captured or killed by local police or in special operations of troops. Workers of the operational search bureau of the Southern Federal District "work not simply on so-called infantry; a main goal of operatives are medium and top level commanders".The source cited as example the liquidation of Rizvan Chitigov in Chechnya's capital Grozny two weeks ago. He was involved in the murder of four nationals of Britain and a New Zealander. Chitigov was a so-called emir of the council of mujahiddins of Chechnya and Dagestan. Captured militants have been cooperating with law enforces recently, disclosing sites of arms caches and addresses of members of their bands. Law enforcement agencies are of the opinion that this indicates that most of militants realise uselessness of the armed struggle. "Work to clear the region of so-called diehards will be continued," the source said.