Fear of rebel attacks in Ingushetia

By Alikhan Batayev
INGUSHETIA - The situation in Ingushetia appears rather grim and there is a very real threat of terrorist attacks, in the opinion of the republic's power structures.

In a report by the Ingush Ministry of Interior on state forces activity in the first six months of this year, two planned terrorist acts were uncovered with 13 rebels killed and 16 captured. Also, more than 200 firearms and 1,000 pieces of ammunition were seized.

Numerous groups of insurgents are located in the mountains with considerable numbers of Russian special forces looking for them. The local population often comes across both rebels and federal forces chasing them.

Clashes are especially frequent in the forests near the village of Ali-Yurt, and settlements in the Sunzhensky district. However, in recent months the rebels have gone to ground, which is an ominous sign. According to many observers, this silence may be a harbinger of a major terrorism act.

This probably explains the Russian authorities' decision to increase the military presence in Northern Caucasus.