Reports: Three Injured in S.Ossetia Shooting

Three South Ossetian militiamen were injured after their post in the southern outskirts of Tskhinvali came under fire from the nearby Georgian village of Nikozi overnight on January 28, the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee reported.

The attack, which was carried out by ?the Georgian Defense Ministry?s saboteur squad? with mortar launchers and assault rifles, broke out at about 4:30 am Tbilisi time, according to the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee.

Local residents of Nikozi who were interviewed by the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) early on January 28 confirmed that ?heavy weapons? were used in the shootout.

GPB said that commander of the Georgian peacekeeping battalion in the conflict zone Mamuka Kurashvili has confirmed that the incident took place, but added that the Georgian side had nothing to do with it.

South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity called on the Georgia side on January 28 ?to say no to provocative actions and resume negotiations,? the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee reported.

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