Chechens launch suicide attack

The Russian military is vulnerable to guerrilla attacks

The Russian army has confirmed that two of its soldiers were killed in a suicide bomb attack in the Chechen capital, Grozny.

Colonel Valentin Astafiyev said that one soldier had also been wounded in Sunday's attack.

He went to his death voluntarily and willingly, saying it was for Allah

Movladi Udugov Chechen spokesman

According to the rebels, who began suicide attacks as a new tactic last week, four Russian soldiers were killed.

Chechen rebel spokesman Movladi Udugov said the bomber approached a military post in Grozny in a car loaded with explosives and then detonated the bomb.

Chechen rebels said the bomber was a former Russian soldier turned separatist fighter.

Fresh Fighting

Latest reports quoting Russian army sources said fierce fighting raged on Monday in the Chechen town of Argun, 13 km (eight miles) east of Grozny, between Russian troops and Chechen rebels.

The fighting began at dawn near a former sugar factory on the south-western outskirts of the town

One report said the rebel fighters ambushed a Russian police convoy on the outskirts of the of Argun early on Monday and fighting raged for about an hour.

The report also said the Russian army rushed reinforcements to the town and deployed helicopter gunships to pound rebel positions.

A military source quoted by agencies said the Russians were conducting a "severe mopping-up operation".

Roads leading to Argun and Grozny, including the Baku-Rostov motorway, have been sealed.