Six rebels killed in Chechen clashes

Six alleged rebels were killed in a skirmish with Russian troops in Chechnya, it was reported today.

Maj Gen Ilya Shabalkin, a spokesman for federal forces in Chechnya, said the clash occurred during a special operation to eliminate 15-20 rebels near the towns of Starye and Novye Atagi, just south of the Chechen capital Grozny.