Russia: security forces kill 3 alleged rebels in southern Ingushetia

The three were among a band believed to be hiding out in a wooded area of the region, which borders on Chechnya and which helicopters rocketed Wednesday in an attempt to wipe out the alleged militants.

Photo: Russia: security forces kill 3 alleged rebels in southern Ingushetia

Russia: security forces kill 3 alleged rebels in southern Ingushetia

Regional Interior Minister Beslan Khamkhoyev said the operation targeted about 20 militants suspected of involvement in recent attacks on senior police and government officials in Ingushetia.

The Interior Ministry identified one of the dead as Adam Nalgiyev, whom it blamed for police killings and leading a group in a brazen 2004 rebel attack on Ingushetia's largest city, Nazran, in which some 90 police and security officials were killed in a single night.

Channel One television showed the rebels' alleged belongings in the aftermath of the battle: shell-launchers, several mobile phones and Snickers chocolate bars.