11.   But despite the heavy troop presence, Chechen gangs have been freely roaming neighboring regions, carrying out kidnappings and other attacks.

12.   But the heavy troop presence has failed to prevent Chechen gangs from freely roaming neighboring regions, carrying out kidnappings and other attacks.

13.   Many armed groups now roam the region, beyond the control of governments.

14.   Some of the violence has been attributed to gangs from neighboring Chechnya that roam the region, while other attacks and clashes stem from clan and religious conflicts.

15.   Some has been attributed to gangs from nearby Chechnya that roam the region, while other violence appears to stem from clan and religious conflicts.

16.   The authorities have been unable to suppress armed gangs that roam the region.

17.   The government of President Aslan Maskhadov, the former rebel military chief, has been unable to curb numerous armed gangs roaming the region.

18.   Local shepherds were particularly angry after several sheep were killed, presumably by the two brown bears roaming the region.