Ingushetia unaware attack was being planned

The security agencies in Ingushetia (North Caucasian republic neighboring Chechnya) did not have information about preparations for the terrorist attack on the republic in early hours of June 22, the head of the State Duma security committee, Vladimir Vasilyev, said at a State Duma plenary session on Wednesday.

He recalled that a special session of the committee, which was attended by representatives of the Interior Ministry, the Federal Security Service, the Defense Ministry, the Justice Ministry, the Prosecutor General's Office, the General Staff and the Security Council, was held on Monday. The situation in Ingushetia was discussed at the session.

"Answering our question about whether there was information about a terrorist attack being planned, representatives of the security agencies noted that such information was available but it was contradictory and not specific," he said. "There was no clear-cut information about preparations for the terrorist attack."

He also reported that representatives of the security agencies believed the attack was carefully planned and that the terrorists were attempting to seize a number of facilities and weapons. They concentrated their efforts, but seized only one facility - a weapons depot.

According to data from June 28, the attack killed 93 people, including the staff members of the Interior Ministry, the Federal Security Service, the Defense Ministry and innocent civilians, he said.

The names of 70 suspects have been determined and the investigation is continuing. Ten people have been detained and three of them were arrested.

Mr. Vasilyev also noted that the direct organizer of the attack, Magomed Yevloyev, was killed.

According to Mr. Vasilyev, the militants destroyed the communications system in the republic's Interior Ministry during their attack, which is why the law enforcement units in Ingushetia, who fought the attack, could not receive assistance in time

Mr. Vasilyev said that the Ingush Interior Ministry had a single communications system and did not have a backup system.

"In fact, while the law enforcement officers and the militants were fighting the republic's Interior Ministry did not have an adequate communications system," the deputy said.

According to Mr. Vasilyev, the fighting occurred at night in densely populated districts and other forces could not be used without special orientation measures. The use of a multiple-launch missile system would lead a large number of civilian casualties, he said.

The deputy also stressed that since a special regime was not introduced in Ingushetia, all members of the law enforcement agencies worked in a typical mode, without reinforcement.

Mr. Vasilyev also pointed out that the republic's law enforcement officers detained or killed a considerable number of militants this year.