Nine people, including seven law enforcement officers, died and 25 others sustained injuries during shootings in southern Russia’s Republic of Dagestan on Sunday, RIA Novosti reported.
The report cited the muftiate of the republic.
The shootings occurred at two Orthodox churches first at a synagogue and a traffic police post in Derbent City.
Another shooting took place at Dagestan’s capital city of Makhachkala, according to media reports.
The Russian Investigative Committee has initiated criminal cases under the article related to terrorist attacks on shootings.
And, it introduced a counter-terrorist operation regime in Dagestan, according to the National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC).
Security forces eliminated four of the attackers involved in the shootings. And they are continuing their efforts, according to TASS, citing the republic’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Meanwhile, 13 police officers and three civilians who sustained injuries in the attacks have been taken to a hospital in Makhachkala for treatment, the ministry said.
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Sergei Melikov, Head of the Republic of Dagestan, called the attacks in Derbent and Makhachkala attempts to “destabilise the public situation”. He urged citizens to remain calm.
The active phase of the counter-terrorism operation in Derbent has been completed, the NAC said.
Dagestan, located in the North Caucasian region, is one of the country’s most linguistically and ethnically diverse regions.
Derbent City is home to an ancient Jewish community and features a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Following the attacks, Alexander Boroda, the President of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, called on people not to respond to provocations that could result from the attacks, TASS news agency reported.
Local authorities have cancelled all entertainment events in Makhachkala and Derbent until further notice.
On March 22, a terrorist attack at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall concert venue, followed by a massive fire, resulted in at least 144 deaths and 551 injuries, according to official statistics. (Xinhua)
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