GROZNY -- Chechen authorities have launched special operations to locate what they say are hundreds of resistance fighters in the mountainous Vedeno region of the southern Russian republic, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
Local law enforcement officials told RFE/RL that some 500 rebels, led by the self-proclaimed leader of a "Caucasus Emirate," Doka Umarov, are still active in the Itum-Kala and Vedeno districts.
Police say they are stopping and searching all vehicles and individuals they encounter in the area.
RFE/RL's Russian Service quoted local authorities as saying that two hideouts with weapons and ammunition, as well as two vacated rebel camps, have already been discovered.
The operation comes less than a month after officials in Moscow said major combat operations by the Russian army were over in the war-fraught republic.
Some observers have warned that Chechnya's Kremlin-backed president, Ramzan Kadyrov, might move swiftly in the wake of that announcement to act decisively against individuals or communities that he blames for continued instability.
Local law enforcement officials told RFE/RL that some 500 rebels, led by the self-proclaimed leader of a "Caucasus Emirate," Doka Umarov, are still active in the Itum-Kala and Vedeno districts.
Police say they are stopping and searching all vehicles and individuals they encounter in the area.
RFE/RL's Russian Service quoted local authorities as saying that two hideouts with weapons and ammunition, as well as two vacated rebel camps, have already been discovered.
The operation comes less than a month after officials in Moscow said major combat operations by the Russian army were over in the war-fraught republic.
Some observers have warned that Chechnya's Kremlin-backed president, Ramzan Kadyrov, might move swiftly in the wake of that announcement to act decisively against individuals or communities that he blames for continued instability.
