Police in Chechnya killed rebel leader Abdul-Khalim Sadulayev during a special operation today, authorities said.

Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev claimed he managed the militant attacks in the southern Russian city of Nalchik that officials say left at least 139 people dead, according to a statement posted on a Chechen rebel-connected website.

Islamic militants attacked police and government buildings in one of the main cities of Russia’s turbulent Caucasus region today, sparking battles in which dozens of people died, officials said.

Militants launched simultaneous attacks on police and government buildings in one of the main cities in Russia’s turbulent Caucasus region today, sparking battles involving heavy-arms fire and explosions that forced the evacuation of schools and left bodies in the streets.