From different threads and international news:
They negotiated with the terrorists and they allowed the removal of bodies (from the initial takeover) from the courtyard. When rescue personell tried to remove them they realized that the bodies had been boobytrapped and terroists opened fire on the people in the courtyard. At this point a group of 30 made a run for it. Terrorists started gunning them down and FSB etc. started firing etc. etc. 2 different groups tried to make a run for it with the leader in a third group staying behind. One of the group running has been anhilated. Don't know about the other (different reports). So far it has been reported that over 10 of the dead terrorists are Arabs.
There is still shooting between FSB and the third group inside with additional hostages. Word are that there were 1200 - 1500 people inside (different from the original 500 report). Men were mostly herded together and more then a dozen shot during the initial stand-off.
FSB did NOT want to go in there but had no choice when all hell broke loose. Don't think they were ready for it and they did the best they could. SHITTY situation to be in if you ask me. Damned if you do... Damned if you don't....
Unless you realize that every single one of those hostages are already dead from the minute they became hostages.
It sounds like the situation spun out of control...there's always the risk of that happening when dealing with these Islamist nutjobs. Sometimes even the best-trained police or security forces can't impose their order on a situation.
Boobytrapping bodies in a courtyard and then calling in the rescue personnel...that's unreal. That's something you'd expect in a pitched Vietnamese firefight (John Kerry, call your office) or on the Eastern Front circa 1943, not a school courtyard.
}:-)4
Thanks for your info.