4 terrorists lay down arms voluntarily in Chechnya over past 24 hours

4 members of illegal armed formations have laid down arms voluntarily in Chechnya over the past 24 hours, a representative of the regional operational headquarters for the antiterrorist operation in the North Caucasus has told RIA Novosti.

3 members of a terrorist group surrendered to law-enforcers in the Shelkovsky district offering no further resistance to federal forces, the official said.

A similar event took place in the republic's Shali district. 26-year-old Akhmet Natukhanov turned to the police, willing to return to peaceful life. Natukhanov brought an AKM assault rifle and 2 hand grenades to the police.

"At present, the ex-terrorists are being checked up as to possible involvement in crimes, they have been released on their recognisance not to leave," the source added.

"Law enforcement officers are contacting members of a Doka Umarov-led terrorist group, which is active in the Shatoi district," the official reported. "Some of them are ready to leave the gang and urge others to cease further resistance," the source said.