MAKHACHKALA (Sputnik) — A counterterrorist operation began late on Sunday in the Suleyman-Stalsky District in the south of Russia’s Dagestan republic, a spokesperson for the operational headquarters of the republic said.
"At 9.45 p. m. Moscow time [18:45 GMT], the head of the operational staff decided to introduce a counterterrorist operation regime within the administrative borders of Suleyman-Stalsky District," the spokesperson told RIA Novosti.
Searches for terror suspects are ongoing, the spokesperson added.
Dagestan is a hotbed of Islamist insurgency in the North Caucasus. Multiple violent attacks have plagued the region over the past decade.