Chechen separatist rebels attacked Russian soldiers in 20 incidents during the past 24 hours, Russian military sources said Tuesday.
In the same period Russian forces defused 22 explosive devices, including a bomb found in a factory in the capital Grozny, ITAR-TASS news agency reported, citing Russia's interior ministry.
Russian troops arrested 36 people suspected of helping Chechen rebels and seized four grenade launchers, 15 weapons and a tone of ammunition, Interfax news agency said
Meanwhile, Russian military planes and helicopters continued to bomb rebel strongholds, military sources said.
Pro-independence rebels mount almost daily attacks on Russian forces in war-torn Chechnya, a secessionist southern Russian republic invaded by Moscow's troops on October 1, 1999 -- MOSCOW (AFP)
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