PYATIGORSK, December 25 – RAPSI. The number of terrorist crimes in North Caucasus has decreased by 11 percent this year, said Sergei Chenchik, head of the North Caucasian branch of the Interior Ministry.

“As of December 24, 348 terrorist acts were committed in the region this year, which is 11 percent less than last year. To compare, in 2003 1,200 crimes were committed, while in 2009 there were 637,” Chenchik said.

He said that law enforcement officers have terminated 379 terrorists, have detained 456 and have made 44 confess to their crimes.

However, there were victims among both civilians and law enforcement officers: as a result of the militants’ actions, 211 officers died and 402 were injured, while 75 civilians died and 179 were injured.

Almost 2,000 small arms units, 119 grenade launchers and 286 self-made explosive devices were confiscated.