MOSCOW/NALCHIK, December 15 (RIA Novosti) – Two suspected militants were killed on Sunday in a special operation in a village in Russia’s North Caucasus, Russia’s anti-terrorism authority said.
Initial reports from various Russian law enforcement agencies said the anti-terrorism operation was launched on Sunday morning in the village of Bylym in Russia’s North Caucasus Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria.
Police said earlier in the day that a group of suspected militants took refuge in a local house.
"In the course of negotiations, the militants agreed to let a woman and a child leave the house. However, when told to lay down arms and surrender, they refused and started shooting and throwing grenades at law-enforcement officers,” the National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAK) said.
A police source said that the house caught fire during the shootout, but the anti-terrorism authority did not confirm the information.
“According to preliminary data, two militants were killed. A law-enforcement officer was slightly injured in the shooting,” NAK said.
It is yet unclear how many people remain in the house.
A local police spokesman said the house remains under siege, but “the active phase of the special operation was put on hold until dawn.”
