Russia put 750 militants out of action in 2009 - Interior Ministry

KHANKALA (Chechnya), October 7 (RIA Novosti) - Russian police and interior troops have killed or detained some 750 militants in the North Caucasus region, including Chechnya, in 2009, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.

"This year we have prevented 64 terrorist attacks on the territory of the Southern Federal District. At least 289 militants were killed, including 25 leaders of armed groups and 11 foreign mercenaries. 457 militants were also detained, including 3 leaders of armed groups," the official said.

The Southern Federal District is one of the seven federal districts of Russia, which includes the North Caucasus.

The Russian Interior Ministry was handed control over anti-terrorist operations in the North Caucasus in June 2003. From October 1, 2009 control was passed to the Russian Federal Security Service, while command over the Russian joint force in North Caucasus will remain under the Interior Ministry.

Summing up the results of counter-terrorist operations in the North Caucasus in the past six years, the spokesman said that since 2003 Russian police and interior troops have killed a total of 2,186 militants and detained 6,295 militants.