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345 militants killed in North Caucasus in 2011

85 anti-terrorist operations were carried out to suppress terrorist activities

MOSCOW, February 15 (Itar-Tass) — Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov said 345 militants were killed in the North Caucasus in 2011, including 48 warlords.

"Eighty-five anti-terrorist operations and a considerable number of combat operations have been carried out within suppression of sabotage and terrorist activities by gangs framework implementation in the territory of the North Caucasus region," he told a session of the National Anti-terrorist Committee (NAK) on Wednesday which summed up the results of NAK's work last year.

"As a result, 48 warlords were destroyed, including three al Qaeda emissaries, as well as 297 other members of gangs. Law-enforcement bodies detained 660 bandits and their accomplices, including 12 leaders of the religious and extremist underground. A considerable amount of weapons, ammunition and explosive has been retrieved.

"Special attention was paid to preventive measures in the region. In a number of North Caucasus republics, commissions were set up to help the persons who decided to give up terrorist and extremist activities adapt to peaceful life.

"At present, the commissions are working with more than 90 such individuals, Bortnikov said adding that last year, 49 militants turned themselves in to the authorities and pledged to lead a peaceful life.