Terrorist act prevented in Grozny - 17 June, 2003

A large-scale terrorist act has been prevented in the Chechen capital Grozny, a source in the republic's Interior Ministry told RIA Novosti.

"An explosive device consisting of six kilograms of plastic explosives was planted near a bus stop in Khmelnitsky Street. Militants probably expected to blow up a passenger bus, which would have resulted in numerous casualties," the source said.

According to his account, the terrorist act was prevented by the driver of a mini-van taxi, who noticed fresh traces of digging on the side of a road and reported them to the Grozny Commandant's Office.

Sappers were summoned and arrived to find a home-made explosive device disguised on the side of the road. "It is not for the first time that information from locals helped prevent various crimes, including terrorist acts," the source stressed.