Oleg Lobov told Interfax that the government was taking measures to prevent renewed fighting, including a beefing up of Russian troops to frustrate attacks by rebels. He said plans were underway to deploy recently formed local police units to provide protection for government forces.
His remarks came three days after a clash between Russian troops and Chechen rebels in Vedeno, a rebel stronghold 44 kilometers southeast of the Chechen capital Grozny, left at least 18 servicemen dead and eight captured.
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