Chechen militant group planning May 9 attack killed: FSB

Moscow, Apr 27 (UNI) Suspected Chechen militant planning an attack on May 9, have been killed in southern Russia, Federal Security Service (FSB, ex-KGB) said today.

The militants were preparing to carry out terrorist bombings in Karachayevo-Cherkesia republic, in the North Caucasus on the Victory Day.

On May 9, 2004, Akhmad Kadyrov, the former president of Chechnya, was assassinated when a bomb went off at a Grozny stadium during the Victory Day celebrations.

The FSB told RIA Novosti news agency that the militants were killed during an operation in Karachayevo-Circassia after putting up an armed resistance. Two security personnel were also injured in the encounter.

The operation was conducted by security services and police in the Storozhevaya village in the southern district of Zelenchuksky.

''There is information about this group's involvement in the murders of local police officers and a security officer in 2005,'' the FSB said.

During a search two Makarov pistols and nine grenades, were recovered.

Preliminary reports suggested the explosives had been manufactured in a local private house. ''We have found components of a handmade explosive device,'' the FSB said.

UNI XC PR PA RK2208