At Least Nine Chechen Policemen Die In Militant Ambush

July 4, 2009 12:33 p.m. EST

Nazran, Russia (AHN) - At least nine Chechen policemen were killed on Saturday when militants ambushed their vehicle in Russia's neighboring region of Ingushetia, officials said.

The reports said another nine police were injured near the village of Arshty. The attack is considered to be one of the deadliest attacks recently in the highly volatile region.

Chechen policemen have been carrying out an offensive action against the insurgency in Ingushetia, increasing tension with rising cycle of violence.

The reports said that at least 45 members of the Chechnya policemen were returning from a joint special operation when their convoy came under attack.

Inghushetia's President Yunus-Bek Yevkurov was injured last month in an assassination attempt, prompting Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov to pledge action against insurgency.