Brazen Islamist attack, clashes in Chechen capital kill 20

GROZNY, Russia: Islamist insurgents launched a brazen attack in the Chechen capital Grozny on Thursday (early Friday in Manila) that sparked heavy clashes with security forces, leaving 20 dead and a central market burnt.

Militants barricaded themselves in a school and police cordoned off city streets in violence that erupted just as President Vladimir Putin gave his annual address to the nation, vowing to end violence in Chechnya.