Four federal soldiers killed in Chechnya

Bandits attacked a Russian Defense Ministry convoy in Chechnya's Itum-Kale district the other day, killing four soldiers and wounding five more.

This was disclosed to RIA Novosti here today by a source at the headquarters of the North Caucasian combined-army group.

In his words, the thugs fired rocket launchers and assault rifles at a 12-truck headquarters-company convoy in the evening of June 3.

Four contract soldiers, were killed as a result; another five, including one senior officer, were injured in the attack, RIA Novosti's interlocutor added.

All wounded soldiers were rushed to hospital; meanwhile a search-and-kill operation is being conducted at the site of the clash, the source noted in conclusion.