Two militants involved in the Dec. 4 attack on the Chechen capital of Grozny were killed during a special forces operation on Thursday, Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee reported.
The agency said in comments carried by the Interfax news agency that "there were no civilian casualties" during the operation, though several policemen were injured.
Musa Zavgayev, a leader of the republic's underground insurgency, was believed to be one of the men killed, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov was cited as saying by Interfax.
"When they were told to put down their weapons, they responded by firing. As a result of the shootout, both militants were killed," Kadyrov was quoted as saying.
The National Anti-Terrorism Committee said Zavgayev and other members of his group were directly involved in the Dec. 4 attack on Grozny and the destruction of the capital's main printing center, as well as various attacks on police officers and members of law enforcement.
The Dec. 4 terrorist attack saw 14 policemen killed and dozens of others injured during a nighttime battle between security forces and militants. The city's main printing center was destroyed in the battle but later repaired and reopened.
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