Moscow: The Pro-Kremlin acting head of Russia's restive Chechnya region, Sergei Abramov today (July 13, 2004) survived an assassination attempt when a radio-operated landmine blew up near his motorcade killing his bodyguard in the capital Grozny.

Three others were injured in the blast, which occurred around 16:40 pm (18:00 IST).

Abramov, who took over the interim charge after the assassination of Chechnya president Ahmad Haji Kadyrov on May 9 in a terror attack, escaped unhurt.

"After the explosion, the motorcade was fired at from automatic weapons," NTV channel reported showing the bullet- ridden white Volga car of the interim Chechnya head.

"I am alive and well," Abramov told Russian television after the attack.

Some days ago, the Chechen separatist leader Aslan Mashkadov had vowed to kill any new ruler appointed by Russia to the province.