Remote bomb blast wounds five soldiers in Chechnya

A radio-controlled bomb exploded in war-wracked Chechnya as a military convoy was passing, wounding four soldiers and a law enforcement official, an Interior Ministry spokesman said Wednesday.

The blast hit the nine-truck convoy around noon Tuesday on a highway in eastern Chechnya, said Roman Shchekotin, with the southern regional office for the Interior Ministry, reports the AP. Initial reports showed the explosive device was set off remotely, he said.

Four soldiers and an Interior Ministry officer were hospitalized, he said.

Earlier this month two Russian servicemen were wounded when they stepped on mines planted by the rebels.

The surge in violence swept over the neighboring republic of Dagestan. Analysts express concern that Dagestan rocked with explosions and assassinations could become another Chechnya.