Russian Interior Ministry says militants aim to destabilize situation in North Caucasus

The goal of the militants is to split Russia and establish a
destabilized zone in the North Caucasus, according to the head of the
counter-extremism section of the Interior Ministry in the North
Caucasian Federal District, Kazimir Botashev, RIA Novosti reports.

He said that criminal groups are trying to expand the destabilized
zone. The most complicated situation is in Dagestan, Ingushetia and
Kabardino-Balkaria. Kabardino-Balkaria has been the most stable region
until recently.

A spokesman for the Russian Investigation Committee for
Kabardino-Balkaria said that the number of attacks on police in
Kabardino-Balkaria increased four-fold in 2010 compared to 2009 (129
to 26). 42 police officers and 31 civilians were killed and 53 were
injured.

Botashev said that militant activities are reaching Stavropol
Territory. Police forces in the Kochubeyevsky District surrounded a
militant group in Belomechetskaya Cossack village yesterday morning. 5
militants and three police officers were killed and three other
policemen were wounded.