Military

DATE=9/15/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= RUSSIA BLAST (S)

NUMBER=2-307503

BYLINE= LISA MCADAMS

DATELINE= MOSCOW

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A powerful truck bomb has exploded near the local headquarters of Russia's Federal Security Service in Ingushetia, which borders separatist Chechnya. First reports say two people were killed and at least 15 others injured. VOA's Lisa McAdams in Moscow has details.

TEXT: Officials at Ingushetia's Interior Ministry say the explosion rocked the F-S-B headquarters in the city of Magas around noon local time.

Russia's Itar-Tass news agency reports that at least 100 people were working inside the building when a truck, packed with explosives, went off. No one has claimed responsibility for the bombing -- the latest in a string of attacks against Russian interests in and around Chechnya in the past few months. Just last month, a truck bomb in nearby southern Russia killed 50 people.

The Federal Security Service has been leading Russia's military campaign against Chechen separatist rebels until recently, when it transferred control to Russia's Interior Ministry.

The entire region has been on alert, amid fears the Chechen separatists would follow through on threats to increase attacks ahead of a scheduled presidential election in Chechnya in October. President Putin has said the election will bring peace. But critics say the election will not be credible, as long as the war continues. (Signed)

NEB/LAM/AWP