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Chechen police killed by militants in Grozny Chechen police killed by militants in Grozny
(35 minutes later)
Heavily-armed militants have killed several traffic police officers in the Chechen capital, Grozny, and stormed a multi-storey building and a school.Heavily-armed militants have killed several traffic police officers in the Chechen capital, Grozny, and stormed a multi-storey building and a school.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said the officers had been killed when they tried to stop the gunmen's cars.Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said the officers had been killed when they tried to stop the gunmen's cars.
The building, a publishing house, burned as security forces fought with the militants.The building, a publishing house, burned as security forces fought with the militants.
Grozny has been relatively calm in recent years, after a security crackdown under Mr Kadyrov.Grozny has been relatively calm in recent years, after a security crackdown under Mr Kadyrov.
Muslim separatists in Chechnya have fought two wars with Russian forces since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.Muslim separatists in Chechnya have fought two wars with Russian forces since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The attack on Grozny came hours before President Vladimir Putin was due to give his annual state of the nation address. Mr Putin launched the second war against Chechnya's militants in 1999.The attack on Grozny came hours before President Vladimir Putin was due to give his annual state of the nation address. Mr Putin launched the second war against Chechnya's militants in 1999.
The attackers reportedly opened fire on a traffic police post early on Thursday, killing at least three officers. Reports say the gunmen were wearing police uniforms.The attackers reportedly opened fire on a traffic police post early on Thursday, killing at least three officers. Reports say the gunmen were wearing police uniforms.
They then attacked a a building housing local media, known as Press House. Security forces surrounded the building with the militants trapped inside, and images showed the block in flames.They then attacked a a building housing local media, known as Press House. Security forces surrounded the building with the militants trapped inside, and images showed the block in flames.
Gunfire was reported at the building and Mr Kadyrov said seven militants had been killed.Gunfire was reported at the building and Mr Kadyrov said seven militants had been killed.
A Chechen official quoted by Interfax news agency said 10 security police had died in the operation against the gunmen.A Chechen official quoted by Interfax news agency said 10 security police had died in the operation against the gunmen.
Russia's interior ministry said the operation was still under way and Mr Kadyrov was quoted as saying that a number of gunmen had been holed up inside a school.Russia's interior ministry said the operation was still under way and Mr Kadyrov was quoted as saying that a number of gunmen had been holed up inside a school.
A reporter for Ekho Moskvy radio said fighting was going on at the school, close to the city centre, and she could hear gunfire and explosions.A reporter for Ekho Moskvy radio said fighting was going on at the school, close to the city centre, and she could hear gunfire and explosions.
The militants' motive was unclear but an unverified video posted on the internet on Wednesday said the attack was being carried out on the orders of rebel commander Amir Khamzat to punish security officers for harassing Muslim women.The militants' motive was unclear but an unverified video posted on the internet on Wednesday said the attack was being carried out on the orders of rebel commander Amir Khamzat to punish security officers for harassing Muslim women.
In October a suicide bomb attack in the Chechen capital killed five police officers and left at least 12 people injured.In October a suicide bomb attack in the Chechen capital killed five police officers and left at least 12 people injured.
Are you in Grozny? Did you see the attack? Send us your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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