Russian soldiers carry out a search operation in the mountains of Chechnya. Russian troops repelled a series of coordinated rebel raids in the province of Ingushetia, bordering Chechnya. Photo by AFP
Suspected Chechen rebels rampaged through a southern Russian region early on Tuesday, mounting a brazen onslaught that killed 57 people. The fighters seized Ingushetia's interior ministry building for several hours and attacked other top security points. "They must be found and destroyed. Those whom it is possible to take alive must be handed over to the courts," President Vladimir Putin said. It was the biggest armed operation by rebels in the southern Russian province since war between separatists and Moscow erupted in Chechnya a decade ago. Fifty-seven people -- including 47 security and police officials -- were killed. Another 60 people were injured.