Attack on Russian City Leaves over 60 Dead

Prensa Latina (Havana), 13 October 2005

Moscow, Oct 13 (Prensa Latina) Clashes between police and armed groups in the city of Nalchik, in Russia's volatile North Caucasus, have left over 60 dead, civilians among them, according to reports monitored here.

Provincial President Arsen Kanokov told Itar-Tass news agency that a third of the 150 rebels who took part in attacks were killed. He also said 12 civilians had been killed.

A school and the city's airport, as well as government buildings, were all caught up in the running gun-battles.

Local officials in Nalchik, capital of Kabardino-Balkaria province, have indicated that 50 gunmen were killed while hostages are believed to have been taken.

The sources said five police officers have also died, and several are being hostage in a police station.

Militants from nearby Chechnya say they attacked government buildings, according to a pro-rebel website.

For his part, Dmitry Kozak, President Vladimir Putin's special envoy to the region, told Russian television that an operation was under way to free hostages from No. 3 police precinct.