Moscow - Russian troops fanned out across Chechnya yesterday to track down those linked to guerrilla groups after the region's second town came under rebel attack. Moscow also issued a fresh demand to Georgia to give up suspected guerrillas sheltering on its territory.
Large areas of Gudermes fell into guerrilla hands on Monday when up to 300 rebels swarmed into the town in their biggest assault in months. But Interfax news agency quoted the press service of the pro-Moscow Chechen government as saying the town east of the regional capital Grozny was now quiet.
Officials said at least 10 Russian crack police were killed in the Gudermes fighting on Monday. Two generals and eight colonels, all from the general staff, died when rebels shot down their helicopter over Grozny.