MOSCOW, July 10 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's security chief said Monday that Shamil Basayev, Russia's most wanted terrorist for a string of attacks that claimed hundreds of lives, had been killed in southern Russian. Nikolai Patrushev, head of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), said 41-year-old Basayev, who claimed responsibility for the 2004 Beslan school siege and the 2002 Moscow theater attack, had been killed during the night in the North Caucasus republic of Ingushetia. "Basayev and a number of militants were eliminated in Ingushetia last night," Patrushev told President Vladimir Putin. Security services reported earlier in the day that a group of militants had been killed preparing for a terrorist attack when their explosive-laden truck blew up. And it later transpired that Basayev had been traveling in an accompanying car.
A local police source said, "Basayev's body was found by FSB officers after a car wired with explosives blew up. The convoy included three cars with militants, one of which was Basayev." "The terrorist was decapitated by the explosion, but from characteristic traits, it was suggested that the body was none other than Shamil Basayev," the source said. After initial examinations, the terrorist's identity was confirmed, he said.
Russian television channel NTV said no civilians had been hurt in the explosion, which was equivalent to more than 100 kilograms (220 lbs) of TNT, as it had occurred at midnight. The channel said the security service had "helped" blow up the truck.
Although Russian authorities have reported Basayev's death several times in the past, there appears to be complete certainty that this time they have got their man. A senior security official said DNA tests would be carried out to eradicate any doubts.
"Even though special forces are 100% sure that Basayev has been killed, his death will be confirmed. The terrorist's remains will be brought to a medical laboratory, where an analysis will be carried out," the source said.
The DNA test will take around a week, he said.
Additional from Times OnLine: "Shamil Basayev's death has been announced before but there seems to be no doubt about it this time. The FSB has formally announced it and they have shown brief footage of his body, lying on his back, the right arm bandaged and bloodied. It was recognisably him - he had a thick black beard as he has had since the early 1990s when he first became involved in the Chechen movement."
| Let the Fat Lady know she's up next |
Additional from Interfax: Basayev's killing was the fallout of a Kamaz truck explosion in Ingushetia this morning, said Ingush Deputy Prime Minister Bashir Aushev, who is responsible for the republic's law enforcement agencies. "There were several motor cars with militants next to the Kamaz truck, including Basayev," Aushev told Interfax on Monday. Basayev's killing has been in the works for a very long time, he said.
Basayev's body has been identified by body parts, he said. "After the explosion, body parts were collected. Basayev was identified through the body parts. As far as I know, he was identified by the head," Aushev said. "All his characteristic features are there," Aushev said.
The militants had arrived in Ingushetia to collect arms, he said. "The militants were at the very top of the terrorist structure responsible for sabotages. They were the most notorious figures in illegal armed groups," he said. No law enforcement official was killed in the operation, he said. "Two civilians were injured but there is no threat to their lives," he said.
Besides Shamil Basayev, 12 more militants were killed in Monday's sweep operation in Ingushetia, a Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) official told Interfax. "Twelve more militants were killed along with Basayev. Some of them have already been identified," he said.
(Interfax) - Another five militants were killed along with Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev in a sweep operation in Ingushetia, Ingush Deputy Prime Minister for Security 
(Interfax) - The body of