Many killed in Chechen blast: suicide attack on government buildings has killed at least 37

bbc.co.uk ^ | Monday, 12 May, 2003, 14:54 GMT 15:54 UK | BBC

[Destro]

Last Updated: Monday, 12 May, 2003, 14:54 GMT 15:54 UK

Many killed in Chechen blast
A suicide attack on local government buildings in Chechnya has killed at least 37 people and injured 197, local officials say.

A lorry loaded with explosives was driven at a compound containing the headquarters of the Federal Security Service (FSB) in the northern town of Znamenskoye, sources in the pro-Moscow administration said.

The blast left a crater at least 15 metres (yards) wide and four deep, gutting buildings at the scene and causing other serious damage within a radius of up to 500 metres.

Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted the incident would not derail the peace process in Chechnya. But it is being seen as a setback for the Kremlin - which has claimed that normality is returning to the devastated region after years of war against separatist rebels.

Regional officials said at least one suicide attacker was inside the lorry - said by some sources to have been a military Ural - when it ploughed through a security barrier at 1000 local time (0600 GMT) on Monday.

FSB chief Nikolai Patrushev said the barrier stopped the lorry from reaching the main building and it blew up 30 metres (yards) from the compound's security wall.

But up to 10 buildings inside were completely destroyed or badly damaged, including the FSB and district administration offices and a number of residential blocks.

Civilian deaths

Most of the dead are said to be civilian staff from the local administration or local people present on official business.

Chechnya's Prosecutor, Vladimir Kravchenko, pointed out that many local civilians would have been visiting the administrative offices on Monday as it was the first working day after Russia's May holiday period.

Among the dead are 10 FSB staff, a Chechen official source told the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, whilst the FSB's district chief is believed to be among the injured.

Dozens of people were rushed to hospitals locally or in Russia's neighbouring North Ossetia region, with 57 in a critical condition.

Monday's attack is a serious blow to Moscow's push for a political solution aimed at ending the war, BBC Moscow correspondent Sarah Rainsford says.

Deadly attacks

Local government chief Sultan Ahmetkhanov said soldiers at the gates had opened fire on the lorry in an attempt to stop it, but the vehicle tore through the barriers.

If it is confirmed that the bombing was perpetrated by Chechen separatists, it would be their deadliest attack since a December suicide bombing in Grozny.

It would also be the most serious attack since a March referendum tied Chechnya firmly within the Russian federation, while giving the republic some autonomy.

The vote was seen as a victory for Moscow but its validity has been queried by human rights organisations.

Quiet region

"The act... was directed at stopping the process of bringing about a political settlement to the situation in Chechnya," Mr Putin told a meeting of top government officials.

"We cannot allow anything like this to happen, nor will we."

Correspondents say that northern Chechnya, where the bombing took place, is considered the most stable part of the region.

It was the first area to come under the control of Russian forces that entered the republic in 1999, starting the second war in a decade.

Historically, the region was home to a large population of Russians - the Terek Cossacks.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[Paleo Conservative]

It's hard to know which side to root for.

[ChadGore]

ROPMA

[MizSterious]

I'm always sorry for loss of life, but I hope Russia doesn't expect much sympathy from us after what they did before and during the Iraq war.

[Destro]

May I suggest you root for the Chechen Muslism who would make a trophy of your infidel head.

[freedomson]

Russia hasn't yet figured out that the facists have declared war on them again.

[Tamzee]

Putin supports terrorism on one hand and yet tries to fight it with the other... he might find that a little consistency would go a long way.

[Destro]

Supporting terrorisim because he was against the Iraqi war? That's a stretch.

[Paradox]

As pissed off at the Russians as we might be, these Islamo-Terrorists need to be exterminated. These Chechens have already fought against us in Afganistan and Iraq. More power to the Russians in this case.

[Destro]

It is in our own self interest to think this way.

[Tolik]

[Tamzee]

"Supporting terrorisim because he was against the Iraqi war? That's a stretch."

Aside from all the hazy and not hazy links to various terrorist groups, Saddam was quite openly paying the families of Palestinian suicide bombers. He even upped the amount recently to encourage more "martyrs".

When U.S. tried to pressure Saddam into cooperating, Putin sent his generals in to help Saddam coordinate a military defense. All of these countries helping Saddam openly in the U.N. and secretly behind the scenes gave him false confidence that he didn't need to take the U.S. seriously.

I don't think that is a stretch... what's funny is that Putin helped Saddam continue paying Muslim terrorist "freedom fighters" hit Israel at the same time he is trying to crush the Muslim terrorist "freedom fighters" in his own country.

[omega4412]

This is one war -- World War IV -- on several fronts. The sooner Putin realizes this, the better.

[Destro]

The USA did not fight the war against Saddam for his support of Palestinian suicide bombers. Saudia Arabia and other "freindly" Arabic regimes pay MORE to those famalies than Saddam did. We fought the war becuase Iraq violated the UN's WMD ban. Putin said there are no such weapons and fighting it would open up a pandora's box. So far the score is 50-50. We found no WMD yet so Putin was right and Iraq is not become an opened Pandora's box yet so were right--for now.

[Destro]

Putin just doesn't think Iraq is linked to the war on terror. He may be wrong but that does not mean he is an enemy.

[Tamzee]

I know we didn't take Saddam out because he supported Palestinian terrorists... I just pointed out the irony of the situation. I have a feeling that Israeli families of the victims aren't feeling overly fond of countries that supported Saddam.

[Destro]

I understand your point. As an American I can't say on authority what Israelis or any other people feel.

[swarthyguy]

Until the US gets serious with Saud and Pak, I'm skeptical of the seriousness and thoroughness of the USA's War on Some Terror.

Saudis give over 100K to Pali Suicide freaks. More than Saddam. So why aren't we nailing the Sauds, Presidente Bush?

[OldFriend]

leave it to the bbc to call this a suicide attack.......MURDEROUS attack is more like it.