6 Russian soldiers reported killed in Chechnya

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Six Russian soldiers were killed early Friday in an armed attack on a Russian National Guard base in Chechnya, local media reported.

The incident took place around 2.30 a.m. (2330GMT) in northwestern Naurskaya village of Chechnya by unidentified armed militants, according to Russian news agency TASS.

"During the fighting, all the gang members were neutralized," TASS said, quoting the National Antiterrorism Committee.

It reported six militants were killed and there were also injuries among the National Guard servicemen, without giving exact numbers.

Fire arms and ammunition were found on the bodies of assailants, according to TASS.

A team from the Federal Security Service has been working in the area, it added.

After the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991, Chechnya quickly declared independence. Russia responded by sending troops to Chechnya, who fought Chechens from 1994 to 1996.

The bloody conflict finally ended with a cease-fire agreement in 1996.

In 1999, Russia reinvaded the self-governing republic of Chechnya.