GROZNY, May 5: A bomb attack on a security checkpoint in Russia’s restive Chechnya province killed five policemen just days ahead of Dmitry Medvedev’s inauguration as new president, police said on Monday.

The attack occurred just outside the capital Grozny on Sunday, the latest blow to a fragile peace established under Medvedev’s mentor, President Vladimir Putin. “Five interior ministry personnel were killed as a result of an explosion,” said Ramzan Edilov, head of the police department of Staropromyslovsky district.

“According to provisional information, the device was home-made, as nuts, bolts and ball bearings were found at the scene,” Edilov said. “The search for the criminals is under way, they will be found and liquidated,” he said.—AFP