Explosion at Chechen headquarters

GROZNY, Russia -- One woman was killed when a blast ripped through the headquarters of the Russian-backed government in Chechnya, Interfax news agency said.

The powerful explosion occurred about noon (0800 GMT) as the head of the Chechen administration, Akhmad Kadyrov, was convening a meeting of senior republic officials in the heavily guarded compound.

Russian troops are attacked nearly every day in Chechnya, but Monday's explosion has added significance because it means someone managed to avoid security at the government building to plant the bomb.

The bomb appeared to have been planted in a toilet on the building's second floor, according to Interfax and the woman reported killed was said to be a cleaning lady.

The government meeting was being held on the third floor. No members of government were reported to be injured, but The Associated Press reported that wounded people were seen being carried into ambulances.

The bomb shattered glass, blew out doors and forced the building's evacuation. Russian soldiers and firefighters blocked off the building, a former furniture factory.

Officials in Moscow could not immediately confirm the explosion or provide details.

Russian forces have occupied nearly all of Chechnya since March 2000 after returning to the region in 1991. Russia had withdrawn from the region following defeat in the 1994-96 war.