Basayev removes Maskhadov's stooges from commanding

Terrorist Shamil Basayev has removed the stooges of the Chechen separatists' leader, Maskhadov, from commanding bandit units. RIA Novosti was told about it in the regional operational headquarters for controlling the anti-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus.

"The law enforcement bodies have received information that Basayev made reshuffles in the high command of the illegal armed units. In so doing, he dismissed from high posts the stooges of Maskhadov, former president of Ichkeria," the official information of the headquarters reported.

Notorious terrorist Rappani Khalidov has been appointed the so-called commander of the Daghestan front, and the ringleader, known as Megas, the so-called commander of the Ingush front.

Apart from that, Basayev has sent emissaries to some regions who must establish contact with former militants and make them actively recruit young people into the ranks of illegal armed units, the document says.

Since Basayev relies in his actions on the support of the militants who have stained themselves with the blood of civilians and who are staunch advocates of Wahhabism, the law enforcement bodies are taking measures aimed at finding out the recruiters and at explanatory work with the population. According to the information given by the local inhabitants to the law enforcers, two men show obvious signs of recruiters of youngsters of 14-15 years of age.

The information is being checked. The local authorities are conducting an explanatory work among the local population with the aim of raising their vigilance and convincing them to cooperate with the local militia.