Chechen rebels launch new assaults

MOSCOW, Russia -- Chechen rebels say they have seized control of towns and major roads in their first coordinated attacks since Russian President Vladimir Putin's call for disarmament and talks.

Russian officials, quoted by news agencies, acknowledged widespread clashes and a number of deaths in the attacks on Saturday.

But accounts of the fighting and the extent of casualties differed widely.

Interfax news agency said rebels had advanced on Shali, opening fire on the military commander's office, administrative building and police headquarters and setting fire to the court house.

It said four people were killed before they withdrew at dawn, taking a number of dead and wounded with them.

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Agencies reported a four-hour battle at a police station in Kurchaloi, further east, with three officers killed and 14 wounded.

An administrative building in the nearby town of Serzhen-Yurt had also been set on fire.

A spokeswoman for Sergei Yastrzhembsky, chief Kremlin spokesman on Chechnya, said groups of about 10 fighters had attacked Shali and Kurchaloi.

"Federal (Russian) forces opened fire and the groups of fighters were dispersed," the spokeswoman said.

Rebel spokesman Movladi Udugov said he believed more than 2,000 fighters were involved in the operation launched at midnight on Friday and that up to 250 Russian servicemen had been killed.

"Fighting is continuing in Shali, Argun and Avtury and Stariye and Noviye Atagi, which are all under the control of Chechen forces. Shooting is intensifying," Udugov said.

Putin on Monday offered disarmament talks but said the rebels would have to accept his offer within three days.

Udugov described Saturday's assaults as "the answer to Putin's ultimatum."