Thirteen gunmen were killed and another 59 detained in Chechnya during a large-scale anti-terror drill that was held in southern Russia, Russian Interior Troops commander Nikolai Rogozhkin said on Thursday.

According to General Rogozhkin, during the four-day war games which ended on Thursday, another 400 people were detained on suspicion of committing crimes, 270 of whom were on wanted lists, the Itar-Tass news agency reported.

The general described the situation in the southern region as difficult but stable.

"The situation is under control; now we are concerned over regions adjoining Chechnya," he said, adding that the number of terrorists and other armed criminals "does not reduce as quick as we would like to."

The commander told journalists on Monday when the exercises began that "real gunmen may be detained" during the anti-terror drill in southern Russia.

"During the exercises, all security services and law enforcement agencies are taking real measures, and real results of these measures will be yielded," Rogozhkin indicated.

Rogozhkin said the outcome of the drill showed that southern Russia had enough forces and means to fight against terrorists.

About 32,000 people representing all law enforcement agencies took part in the drill, the purpose of which was to "improve performance under a state of emergency by using new information and telecommunication technologies."

(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2006)