Russian troops sealed off the Chechen capital Grozny early today to prevent incidents ahead of the fifth anniversary of a crucial rebel success in the first Chechen war of 1994-96.
Road-blocks barred all traffic from the city, with exceptions made for only for police and administrative vehicles.
Elsewhere in the republic vehicles were being barred from crossing check-points between neighbouring communities.
Russian and Chechen pro-Moscow authorities began tightening security around Grozny on Friday in anticipation of possible rebel attacks to mark the anniversary of the August 6, 1996 rebel invasion of Grozny in the final stages of the two-year war.
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AFP