TBILISI, July 26 (RIA Novosti) - Georgian troops are preparing to storm the hideout of a rebellious militia leader and several dozen supporters, a national TV station said Wednesday.

Rustavi-2 said Emzar Kvitsiani and about sixty former members of his Hunter border guard battalion were hiding in a cave in the Kodori Gorge, the de facto border between Georgia and its breakaway Abkhazia province and that security forces would try to fight the men out by storm.

The Hunter battalion was formally disbanded in 2005, but most of its members have not laid down their arms yet.

Earlier on Wednesday, local broadcaster Imedi said the former presidential envoy to the mountainous area - the only part of Abkhazia remaining under Tbilisi's control - had been wounded in the stomach while trying to break through a police blockade. It said the breakthrough attempt had been made before the four-hour ultimatum given to Kvitsiani by the Interior Ministry to surrender expired.

Official sources, however, did not confirm the reports.

According to Rustavi-2, Deputy Prosecutor General Kakha Koberidze told a news conference that criminal proceedings would be launched against Kvitsiani on charges of treason, illegal possession of arms, and establishment of a militia force.

Georgian authorities placed the man on a wanted list and issued a warrant for his arrest.

The operation against Kvitsiani was launched after he said Sunday he would no longer obey orders from Tbilisi.