INGUSHETIA BORDER: REBELS LAUNCH SURPRISE ASSAULTS

Russian/Nat After facing little resistance in its months-long drive to take control of Chechnya, Russian forces have been forced on the defensive in recent days by strong rebel counterattacks. Over the weekend, rebels mounted surprise assaults on the Russian-controlled towns of Shali, Argun and Gudermes. By Wednesday, the Russians claimed to have full control over the three towns after heavy air and artillery attacks and penetrated farther into the rebels’ mountainous southern redoubt. But reb