| More than 60 people were killed in and around the Chechen capital of Grozny during a weekend rebel offensive. 25 policemen, 26 soldiers, three members of the presidential security service and 12 civilians were killed, Reuters quoted a government source as saying on Monday. However, a spokesman of Russian troops in North Caucasus, Ilya Shabalkin, quoted by the agency, mentioned only six Chechen police among the killed, "several losses on the federal side" and fifty rebels. Charity umbrella group SNO quoted by the agency said between 40 and 50 people had died in the raid, which was almost identical in tactics to the neighboring region of Ingushetia in June when 90 people died. Eighteen of the dead were civilians, SNO said. Agencies reported the rebels targeted roadblocks and polling stations set up for the August 29 election. |