At least 15 police officers killed in attacks on synagogue, churches in Russia's Dagestan - UPDATED
More than 15 police officers have been killed in armed attacks in Russia's Dagestan, the head of the region said early Monday, News.Az reports citing Anadolu Agency.
Sergey Melikov commented on the attacks in the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent on his Telegram channel.According to reports, the attackers targeted a police checkpoint in Makhachkala as well as two churches and a synagogue in Derbent. The two cities are located about 128 kilometers (79.5 miles) from each other.
Describing it as a "terrorist attack," Melikov said: "We know who is behind this and what the organizers of these attacks aimed for. War has come to our home."
He noted that Dagestani police have been confronting those responsible for the attacks.
"More than 15 police officers lost their lives in this unprecedented terrorist attack. They were defending peace and order in Dagestan with arms. Among the deceased are several civilians, including a priest."
He also reported that the active phase of counter-terrorism operations in Makhachkala and Derbent has been completed, saying that six gunmen responsible for the attacks were neutralized.
"Efforts will be made to identify all plots orchestrated by external forces and terrorist cells. The situation is under the control of state institutions," he said.
The Russian Investigative Committee classified the attacks as acts of terrorism and announced an investigation into the incidents.
A fire resulting from the attack on the synagogue in Derbent has been extinguished.
The head of the Russian Republic of Ingushetia as well as the governor of the Stavropol territory bordering Dagestan announced that security measures have been strengthened due to the incidents.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Unknown terrorists attacked multiple locations on Sunday in the Russian Republic of Dagestan, including a synagogue, two churches, a roadside gas station, and a police security checkpoint, killing at least six police officers and a priest and injuring 12 others, officials confirmed, News.Az reports citing Anadolu Agency.
According to a statement issued by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, unidentified armed individuals attacked Makhachkala and Derbent cities around 1500GMT.
The attackers targeted a police checkpoint in Makhachkala, as well as two churches and a synagogue in Derbent, killing six police officers and injuring 12 others, the statement said.
It also mentioned the death of a priest and the ongoing armed conflict between security forces and the attackers.
Video footage on social media shows a fire broke out at the synagogue in Derbent.
Earlier, Shamil Khadulaev, deputy chairman of Dagestan's public monitoring commission, said a clergyman and a security officer from an Orthodox church in Derbent and Makhachkala, were killed in the assaults.
The attackers reportedly used automatic weapons during the assault on the synagogue, according to Gayan Garieva, head of the press service of the Dagestan Ministry of Internal Affairs.
"Around 6 pm local time (1500GMT) in Derbent, unknown individuals fired automatic weapons at a synagogue and a church," she said.
The synagogue and a police car were engulfed in flames in the attack, according to local media reports.
Sputnik also reported that the suspects fled in a white Volkswagen Polo bearing license plate 921.
It added that almost simultaneously, unidentified individuals attacked a roadside gas station on a street in Makhachkala.
In response to the attacks, authorities have imposed security cordons in Makhachkala and Derbent, stepping up efforts to net the attackers.
Russia's Investigative Committee issued the following statement: "The Investigative Committee of Russia in the Republic of Dagestan initiated criminal cases under Art. 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (terrorist act) on the facts of armed attacks in Derbent and Makhachkala, as a result of which police officers and civilians were killed and injured."
It added that they are currently investigating the incident and determining who was responsible for the terrorist attacks.
"Investigators and forensic investigators are on the scene," it said.
BREAKING: In #Dagestan, unknown persons set fire to a synagogue and tried to set fire to a church. Priest and #Police killed
— News.Az (@news_az) June 23, 2024
A security guard was also shot at the Makhachkala church, said Shamil Khadulaev, chairman of the Public Monitoring Commission of Dagestan, in his… pic.twitter.com/TkOGfBmjhs
Similar news
