- By Abhishek Sheoran
- Mon, 24 Jun 2024 08:33 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
An orthodox priest and at least 15 police officers were killed after gunmen opened fire at a church and police post in attacks across two cities in Russia’s North Caucasus region of Dagestan, news agency Reuters reported citing the region's head. In a video message published on Monday, Dagestan’s governor Sergei Melikov said it was a day of tragedy for Dagestan and the whole of Russia.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks in the volatile North Caucasus region. "We understand who is behind the organisation of the terrorist attacks and what goal they pursued," Melikov said without divulging the details.
ALSO READ: Hyderabad Nightlife Curfew: Commercial Establishments To Be Closed By 10:30 PM Everyday
Russia's National Anti-Terrorist Committee described the attacks in the predominantly Muslim region, which has a history of armed insurgency, as terrorist acts. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were declared days of mourning in the region.
Melikov stated that among the dead were several civilians, including an Orthodox priest who had worked in Derbent for more than 40 years, in addition to the police officers. He also mentioned that six of the gunmen were shot and killed as the incidents unfolded. However, Russian state news agencies cited the National Anti-Terrorist Committee, which reported that five of the gunmen had been killed.
Russian state news agency Tass reported that a Dagestani official was detained due to his sons' involvement in the attacks, according to law enforcement sources. In a video statement, Melikov assured that the situation in the region was under the control of law enforcement and local authorities. He also vowed that the investigation into the attacks would continue until “all the sleeping cells” of the militants were uncovered.
The simultaneous attacks across the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent occurred three months after an attack on a concert hall near Moscow, claimed by the Islamic State, which killed 145 people and was Russia's worst terrorist attack in years.