Russian security forces have thwarted a terror attack in the northern part of the Republic of Dagestan. On the night of the midweek, a counter-terrorism operation was conducted in a district of the republic’s capital, Makhachkala. Four suspects resisted a search operation by a mobile police unit, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The suspects were subsequently blocked on the outskirts of the settlement of Semender. Authorities evacuated several residents from the affected zone. All four suspects were killed during the operation, which lasted from 0:25 a.m. to 6:20 a.m. local time.
According to the task force of the National Anti-Terror Committee, the suspects were believed to be terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State, who had planned an attack on a police station in the city of Kaspiysk. At the scene of the exchange of gunfire and in a nearby weapons cache, authorities found a grenade launcher, homemade explosive devices, grenades, machine guns, a pistol and ammunition.
The authorities reported no civilian casualties or losses among the security forces. A press release showed a video of a bullet-riddled vehicle and the seized weapons.
Dagestan’s head, Sergei Melikov, thanked the task force and security agencies on Telegram, describing the counter-terrorism operation as precise and professional. He characterized the actions of the terrorists as failed attempts to destabilize the situation in the region.
The Republic of Dagestan is always ready to take additional measures to ensure the safety of its residents, Melikov concluded.