Russian forces storm seige theater

Russian security forces have brought a sudden and dramatic end to the three-day siege in a Moscow theatre, where hundreds of people were being held hostage by Chechen rebels.

The head of the Russian security service, Nikolai Patrushev, said 34 Chechen rebels were killed in the raid and a number of others were arrested. He said none had escaped. But 67 hostages were also killed during the rescue operation, Russian Deputy Interior Minister Vladimir Vasilyev has acknowledged. He said more than 750 had been saved. Earlier reports suggested that no more than 10 of the hostages had died. Nearly 350 people were taken to hospital, many in a serious condition, the French news agency AFP quoted medical sources as saying. Most of the casualties were suffering from severe gas poisoning. Troops had released sleeping gas into the theatre to subdue the rebels before they stormed the complex at about 0600 local time (0200 GMT).

The rebel leader, Movsar Barayev, was among those who died in a fierce gun battle between the rebels and hundreds of the heavily-armed special forces. The BBC's Jonathan Charles, who is at the scene, says this was not a planned operation but one which was triggered by events. Reports say Russian President Vladimir Putin was only informed of the operation after it began. Mr Putin later visited some of the survivors in hospital.

The rescue operation began when some of the hostages tried to escape after the rebels shot two of their captives and injured at least two others. In the ensuing panic, the hostages inadvertently set off booby traps laid in the theatre by the rebels. Russian special forces then rushed to their aid, engaging in a pitched gun battle which lasted more than an hour. About two hours later, the Russian television channel ORT showed pictures of the theatre strewn with bodies, some severely mutilated, others with their heads down as if they had passed out. Officials said none of the special forces had been killed or injured in the operation. "We succeeded in preventing mass deaths and the collapse of the building which we had been threatened with," said Russian Deputy Interior Minister Vladimir Vasilyev. Our correspondent said the hostages looked shocked and terrified as they emerged. A number of hostages were brought out unconscious, ORT reported. For some time after securing the theatre, troops searched the extensive building for any remaining attackers and explosives. Russian Interior Minister Boris Gryzov said about 30 accomplices of the rebels had been arrested in the Moscow area.

At least 20 ambulances were seen carrying casualties away from the scene. Forty-two survivors were taken to Moscow's Sklifosovsky hospital suffering the effects of poison gas, said doctor Vladimir Ryabinin. Their condition was described as poor. The Russian authorities have not released any details of which gas was used. The assault came three days after the Chechens seized control of the Palace of Culture theatre, about 4 kilometres (2.7 miles) south-east of the Kremlin. Hundreds of Russians and foreigners were inside the theatre, watching a performance of the popular musical Nord-Ost. The rebels threatened to shoot the audience and blow up the building if Russian security forces intervened. They demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from Chechnya and an end to the war there. On Friday, the rebels released 19 hostages, but negotiations to release others broke down.

A grim result, but better than the terrorists succeeding outright. I found the length of delays between some of the incidents surprising. Apparently some of the hostages were trying to escape or fighting back, after executions began, but it was several hours before the authorities moved in. They may not have had a clear idea what was happening before then.

"The rebel leader, Movsar Barayev, was among those who died ..."

Should read:

"The Islamic terrorist and homicide bomber, Movsar Barayev, was among those who died...."

>>>>>Is there any evidence of involvement of the Communist Party aiding and abetting the Chechin terrorists in Moscow and/or elswhere in Russia?<<<

No,but there is evidence of American based organisations ( Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group) aiding and abbeting Chechen terrorists

Also, U.S.-based corporate media is aiding and abbetting Chechen terrorists by calling them "freedom fighters" "rebels" and "guerrilas"

Terrorist is a terorist is a terrorist. Calling one terrorist group "freedom fighters" or "guerrillas" only opens the floodgates to terrorism in neighborhood near you.

Russian media did not call 9-11 a "guerrilla" or 'rebel" attack.

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