At least 19 peopleincluding four civilians, were killed on Sunday in “terrorist” attacks in Dagestanin the Russian Caucasus, and five assailants were killed by security forces, the Russian investigative committee.
“According to initial data, 15 security forces agents diedas well as four civilians, including an Orthodox cleric,” the investigators said in a statement.
During the anti-terrorist operation, which concluded on Monday, “five people” were killed and his “identity” was established“, they added, without specifying whether all the assailants had been eliminated.
“More than 15 police officers were victims of the terrorist attack, defending the peace and tranquility of Dagestan with weapons in hand,” he previously said. governor of the republicwith a predominantly Muslim population, Sergey Melikovin a video published on his channel Telegram.
The official added that the security forces They liquidated six of the terrorists that two attacked orthodox churchesa synagogue and a police post in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkalathe capital dagestani.
Melikov He decreed three days of mourning throughout the republic, until Wednesday inclusive, and promised financial assistance to the victims’ families.
The anti-terrorist operation launched in the Russian republic after the attacks ended this Monday, as announced by the National Anti-Terrorist Committee (NAK), cited by Russian press agencies.
“Due to the neutralization of the threats to the life and health of citizens, it was decided to put an end to the anti-terrorist operation” in Dagestan starting at 05:15 GMT, the agencies reported.
The attacks took place in Makhachkalathe capital of Dagestanand in the coastal city of Derbent.
A 66-year-old priest of the Russian Orthodox Church died in Derbentaccording to authorities.
At least 15 also died police in the attacks, said the regional leader, Sergey Melikovin a video broadcast on Telegram early Monday morning.
“More than 15 police officers were victims of the terrorist act” in Dagestanhe indicated Melikov. The agents “protected the civilian inhabitants (…) at the cost of their lives.”
A first balance of the authorities It reported that eight police officers, a clergyman were dead and about 25 injured.
The Russian Investigative Committee declared that it had opened a criminal case for “terrorist acts,” without giving further details: “The director of the federal police department for the Republic of Dagestan has decided to activate an anti-terrorist operation and apply the anti-terrorist legal regime to guarantee the security of citizens, prosecute terrorist crimes and arrest people involved in an armed attack.”
Meanwhile, the police reported that they killed four armed men. “According to information at this time in Makhachkala, “The law enforcement forces have eliminated four combatants.”the spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior wrote on Telegram.
For its part, this Sunday’s attack also reminds us of the terrorist attack perpetrated by the Islamic State last Friday, March 22 at the concert hall Crocus City Hallin Krasnogorsk, on the outskirts of the Russian capital, Moscowwhich left more than 140 dead, becoming the worst attack on Russian soil in many years.
“Islamic State fighters attacked a large group of Christians in the city of Krasnogorskon the outskirts of the Russian capital, Moscow, and killed and injured hundreds of people and They caused extensive destruction there before safely retreating to their bases.“, published the agency Amakthe group’s propaganda organ, on Telegram.
Images released that day showed four people dressed in camouflage clothing, breaking into the place and opening fire indiscriminately inside the room using Kalashnikov assault rifles.
Despite the claims of the terrorist group, Vladimir Putin always blamed Ukraine for the attack.
(With information from AFP, EFE and Europa Press)
