GROZNY, Chechnya, Russia
At least 19 people, including 10 police officers and nine militants, were killed and 28 others injured in clashes in Grozny, the capital of Russia’s autonomous Republic of Chechnya Thursday, an official statement said on Thursday.
According to a statement from Russia's National Anti-Terrorist Committee, the casualties are the result of an operation conducted by Chechen security forces against militants in the area.
The militants opened fire on security forces who stopped their vehicle for a security check late on Wednesday.
They then took over the Press House in Grozny -- a building that houses several media channels -- along with a nearby school.
Ramazan Kadyrov, President of the Chechnya Republic, announced that they had information showing that the militants were linked to Doku Umarov, the late leader of the self-declared Caucasus Emirate.
"We have voice records of Doku Umarov's brother. He gathered his followers and sent them to Grozny to ignite an uproar. We thought they would attack on Dec. 12 but it happened today," he said.
Kadirov added that the Chechen authorities’ counter-terrorism operations to clear the area were over, stressing that they will work to prevent such attacks in the region.
Local sources said that life returned to normal in the area after the operations finished.
However, security measures remain in place and authorities are still conducting identity checks at entry and exit points in the region.
www.aa.com.tr/en
