It put end to 10-year anti - terrorist ` ` ' '' in Chechnya . The head of the Federal Security Service `` canceled the decree declaring a counterterrorist operation in the territory of the republic as of midnight of April 16 , '' Russia 's anti-terror committee said . Thousands of troops could be withdrawn from Muslim - majority region . Former president Boris ##ov ordered the counter - terrorist operation in 1999 .
It put end to 10-year anti - terrorist ` ` ' '' in Chechnya . Thousands of troops could be withdrawn from Muslim - majority region . Former president Boris ##ov ordered the counter - terrorist operation in 1999 .