03 May 2004, 22:34
Maskhadov may command unit under attack in Chechnya
A major operation for the blockade and elimination of a group possibly including Aslan Maskhadov is underway in the Kurchaloi district, Chechnya. This is what Ramzan Kadyrov, chief of the security service for the Chechen president, being at the scene, said by phone on May 2.
"I do not rule out the possibility that Aslan Maskhadov is in that group. The possibility is not ruled out either that he may have suffered. We do not have direct evidence as yet, but there is indirect information," Kadyrov emphasized. The bodies of six guerillas were found in a wood, according to him. They were identified: three of them are Dagestanis, two residents of Ishkhoi-Yurt and one of Yalkhoi-Mokhk.
Ramzan Kadyrov claims examination of the combat scene gives evidence there are many more dead among the guerillas. He also said many of them were wounded, including a "certain emir ranking high among members of illegal armed units."
Kadyrov observed the key events were developing in the wood between Gansolchu, Alleroi, and Yalkhoi-Mokhk.
Source: Interfax News Agency
