Russian troops intensified search operations in villages and woods in the North Caucasus republic of Ingushetia yesterday, a day after scores of Chechen gunmen killed around 60 people in coordinated attacks.
Army and police units combed the border area by Chechnya for members of an estimated 200-strong force that raided the city of Nazran and two villages early on Tuesday, inflicting heavy casualties and damage to strategic facilities.
Initial statements indicated that around 75 civilians, troops, police and other officials died in the attack, but local authorities yesterday put the number at 60.
Another 45 were being treated in hospital for gunshot and grenade-blast wounds after the militants targeted 15 facilities, including the republic's interior ministry, a police station and a border guard command post.
During the six-hour assault, gunmen reportedly shot down anyone they encountered who was believed to be an official. At least 10 civilians were killed, including a local UN worker.
Ingush Interior Minister Abukar Kostoyev, his deputy and the Nazran district prosecutor were among the dead.
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a short visit to Ingushetia on Tuesday and called for the swift annihilation or arrest of the militants.
Meanwhile, there was mounting criticism of the unpreparedness of the security forces to repel the incursion mounted from Chechnya and the republic of North Ossetia.
"Why were federal and republican authorities once again taken by surprise? Do we have any functioning military intelligence in this country?" wrote the Nezavisimaya Gazeta newspaper.
"What does the FSB domestic intelligence service do and what do our border guards protect?" it asked.
The span and impact of the attack refutes Kremlin claims that Chechen-led Islamic militants are all but beaten after almost five years of fighting with federal forces.
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