Chechnya Mourns Znamenskoye Attack Victims

21 July 2005 -- Russia's republic of Chechnya is observing a day of mourning today for the victims of the separatist attack on 19 July in Znamenskoye that killed at least 15 people and injured nearly 30 others.
Russian-backed Chechen President Alu Alkhanov has ordered that state flags be flown at half-mast and that entertainment programs be canceled.

Authorities say security forces are continuing to hunt for suspects in the attack, which was one of the most deadly to target law-enforcement officers in recent months in Chechnya. Ten policemen and two children were among those killed.

Officials say the attackers set a trap by first firing at a corpse left in a stolen police jeep to make Interior Ministry troops believe a shooting was taking place. Officials say that when the troops arrived, a bomb went off.

(ITAR-TASS/Interfax/AP)

See also:

"Chechnya President Says 13 Dead In Blast"

"Chechnya: Expert Sees Politics Behind U.S. Terrorist Designation Of Basaev"