There will be no restrictions introduced in connection with the forthcoming anniversary of invasion of militants into Grozny in 1996

Military commandant in Chechnya General Sergei Kizyun stated to RIA Novosti that the military command did not intend to introduce any restrictions on transport movements and to close Grozny and other Chechen settlements in connection with 6 August, the day militants invaded Grozny in 1996.

"I do not know what kind of the day is 6 August and how it is coloured in the calendar for us to show any particular interest in it", the commandant said.

Kizyun indicated that the counter-terrorist operation was a planned operation not to dedicate any actions within its framework to anything. According to him, it is not necessary to toughen the regime established with account for objectives and the situation in the region.

The military commandant excluded the possibility of large operations of militants and seizure by them of settlements. The Military commandant of Chechnya stated that such time was long gone and militants were capable only of committing terrorist acts and exploding land mines.

At the same time Kizyun stated that they would more attentively examine transport vehicles and check passenger documents at check-points. He stated that that would be done in the interests of Chechen citizens.

The regional headquarters in charge of the counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus reported to RIA Novosti that yesterday 35 operations were carried out in the Nozhai-Yurt and Vedeno regions. 8 militants were killed, 23 people arrested on suspicion of being involved in the activity of illegal bandit formations. The military seized 11 pieces of small arms, 61 mines, 4 grenade launchers and about 4,000 cartridges of different calibre.