"A special operation on the detainment and elimination of militants hiding in Grozny was conducted on Saturday from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.," Col. Shabalkin said.
According to him, in the course of the operation several armed clashes took place, which according to the preliminary information resulted in the death of 20 militants and arrest of 12 militants.
According to information, the total number of the killed militants amounted to some 50, but many bodies were hidden by other militants, Col. Shabalkin noted.
The search for bodies of the killed militants continues in Grozny and in the surrounding areas, Col. Shabalkin told RIA Novosti.
"According to operative data some heavily wounded militants remain within the city's boundaries, however their condition will worsen and they may even die without qualified medical assistance," he noted.
There were losses among the federal forces as well, however Col. Shabalkin did not specify the exact figure of those killed and wounded. According to him, 16 civilians were wounded during the operation.
