Base of Arab Wahhabite Mercenaries
Destroyed in Chechnya

GROZNY (RIA Novosti) - A base of Arab wahhabite mercenaries had been discovered and destroyed in Chechnya, officials from Regional Operative Headquarters of the counter terrorist operation in the North Caucasus told RIA Novosti on Saturday.

"During a search-and-destroy operation conducted on Friday by federal forces 1.5 kilometers east of the village of Serzhen-Yurt in the Shali district of Chechnya, soldiers discovered a base of an illegal armed band. According to existing data, the base belonged to Arab wahhabite mercenaries," the ROH representative reported.

The base consisted of 3 dugouts, accommodating 5 bandits each, and 2 observation posts guarding approaches to the base.

"In the course of investigation, federal soldiers discovered a self-made explosive device, various military equipment, material and food supplies, medical supplies and various religious literature of extremist nature," he said.

Soldiers destroyed the base with explosive charges. "At present, federal troops are searching for bandits," the ROH representative reported.