Moscow: Terrorists fired grenades at troops that have cordoned off the school in Southern Russia where hundreds of hostages, including women and children, were holed up without food for the third day today (Sep 3, 2004), even as authorities ruled out the use of force to end the standoff.

Contacts with the militants broke off overnight but the officials said they hoped the talks would resume today.

"We are hoping for further intensification of the process," Lez Dzugayev of the North Ossetian Presidential office was quoted as saying by Itar-Tass.

The ultras, who were holding over 300 people hostage in the Beslan school since Wednesday (Sep 1), fired several shots with their grenade launchers and injured one police personnel, he said.

"The terrorists said they suspected some movement in the area. We calmed them down and promised that it is not so," Dzugayev said while ruling out any use of force.

"As long as there is chance to negotiate, any use of force is ruled out," he said adding, "it is an extreme measure and it is not considered."

The official expressed hope that contact will resume today. He said 26 women and children were released yesterday by the terrorists.

However, the terrorists were refusing to allow food inside the building.

"Fresh food is kept near the school building in case there is a chance to hand it over to the children," Dzugayev said.

Security has been tightened at schools across Russia in wake of the hostage crises, the Education Ministry said today.