Twenty people have been killed – including 15 police officers and a priest – following two coordinated gun attacks in the southern Russian republic of Dagestan. The attacks began simultaneously at approximately 6pm local time yesterday in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala, with the groups targeting two synagogues and two churches. In Makhachkala, the assailants also opened fire on a traffic police checkpoint.
According to the Dagestani authorities, at least 46 people have been injured, although unconfirmed reports suggest the true number may be higher. The church and synagogue targeted in Derbent have both burnt down.
There has been little pressure on the Russian security forces to identify and neutralise Islamist terror threats
Overnight, the Russian authorities launched a counter-terrorism operation in the region to track down those responsible. Road blocks were set up, power was cut off in central Derbent and shooting could be heard in the the cities’ streets. The head of the Dagestan region, Sergei Melikov, confirmed that six of the assailants have been ‘eliminated’.
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