18 September 2002 TBILISI, 18 September (Civil Georgia)–Georgian law enforcers say the operation launched in the Pankisi Gorge [to capture criminals and Chechen rebels] has entered its decisive phase. Georgian interior ministry troops on 18 September started a sweep operation in a village of Khalatsani, seizing weapons, military equipment, and arresting 12 alleged Chechens militants. […]
