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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Friday that Russian troops killed some 50 to 60 Chechen rebels and meanwhile lost 17 soldiers in their Thursday fighting in the republic of Ingushetia bordering Chechenya.
Ivanov told President Vladimir Putin that Russian troops foughta fierce battle with a large group of more than 180 Chechen militants near the village of Galashki in Ingushetia.
Echoing earlier Russian accusations, the minister said the group had originated from Georgia's lawless Pankisi Gorge and infiltrated through the Georgian-Russian border in two teams.
Heavy fighting erupted when the teams, which were trying to cross into Chechnya from Ingushetia, were spotted by a reconnaissance patrol. Army and interior forces were promptly sentto the area.
The minister said the situation in Chechnya had been brought back to normal and was under control of the Russian authorities.
(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2002)
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