Five Soldiers, Two Militants Killed In Chechnya

2 June 2004 -- At least five Russian soldiers and two Chechen militants have been killed in the past day of violence in the Russian breakaway republic of Chechnya.
An official in Chechnya's Moscow-backed administration told AP that two Russian servicemen were killed in rebel attacks on their outposts, and another three died yesterday when their vehicle hit a land mine.

The official said more clashes took place in southern Chechnya and in the capital Grozny. He said at least 200 people were arrested in security sweeps across the republic.

Meanwhile, some 100 women gathered near the government headquarters in Grozny, demanding information on relatives who have disappeared.

(AP)