http://www.rambler.ru/db/news/msg.html?s=260005085&mid=5009070
This article from the Russian media says they have interviewed the captured terrorist. According to the acuthorities, the terrorist said Aslan Masadov and Shamil Basaev (Chechen terrorists I guess) told the terrorists to attack the school. The terrorist talked about an unidentified leader who goes by the nom de guerre of "Polkovnik" who was the commander. I think this means something like "field commander." I think it is a military rank. Polkovnik is Chechen (I think). I can't tell if this Polkovnik was in on the raid and is dead or just planned it.
According to this account, the terrorists asked "Polkovnik" they should attack the school, and "Polkovnik" said, "in order to start a war in the whole Caucasus."
The terrorist being interrogated is a Chechen named Nur-Pashi Kylaev. Kylaev confirmed that in the terrorist group there were various nationalities: Uzbeks, Arabs and Chechens.
According to the Prosecutor Sergei Fredinsky, there were 32 militants. One was captured and 31 were killed.
Please take my translations with a grain of salt. I do my best but don't always get everything right.
You all might google Polkovnik and see what turns up.
Note to prior post. Polkovnik means Colonel.
Also the setup was all Basayev, so I believe he was the mastermind behind it. On Kavkaz in May they had this big deal posting of some important meeting in the southern corner of ikcheria and Basayev was there. One of the men in those pics is probably Magomed. I will try to prove this.