A militant who was planning a terrorist attack in Chechnya's capital was killed by security agents, the North Caucasus republic's president said on Monday.
Ramzan Kadyrov said the gunman was spotted outside an apartment building in Grozny, refused to surrender, opened fire and was killed in a shootout.
"Information had been received that the militant in question was planning to carry out a terrorist act in Grozny's Oktryabr district. Law enforcement agents, acting promptly and efficiently, managed to prevent the act," the president said.
Kadyrov did not identify the gunman but said a powerful homemade explosive device was discovered strapped to his waist.
Kadyrov stressed that the situation in the republic was generally stable.
It is not known exactly how many militants there are in the volatile republic. On May 25, Kadyrov ordered his law enforcement agencies to count up the militants.
"According to the Federal Security Service, we have 400-500 militants. According to other data, there are 198... I would like to know where these figures come from," Kadyrov said, adding that a special commission would be set up to clear up the matter.
Terrorist attacks and militant clashes are common in Chechnya and neighboring republics although the Kremlin has officially ended its military campaign against separatists and terrorists there.
GROZNY, May 31 (RIA Novosti)
