Synagogue, Church, Road Patrol Post Attacked in Russia's Dagestan; Casualties Reported
17:17 GMT 23.06.2024 (Updated: 17:38 GMT 23.06.2024)
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Armed attacks were carried out on a Orthodox church, a synagogue, and a road patrol post in Derbent and Makhachkala in Dagestan, Russia, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC) told Sputnik.
In Derbent
Attackers opened fire with automatic weapons on a synagogue and a church, killing a priest and several police officers as a result.
"According to information from the duty department of the Dagestan Ministry of Internal Affairs, around 6pm (local time) in Derbent, unknown individuals fired automatic weapons at a synagogue and a church," Gayan Garieva, head of the press service of the Dagestan Ministry of Internal Affairs said.
The suspects fled in a white Volkswagen Polo with the license plate number 921.
❗️The mayor of Russia's Derbent reported that law enforcement agencies have been put on high alert following the attack on the Orthodox church and synagogue. Photos and videos of the synagogue fire are circulating on local social media. https://t.co/62ualigKXw pic.twitter.com/BPBmv0AG25
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) June 23, 2024
Investigative Committee officers have arrived at the scene to establish all the details of the incident.
In Makhachkala
Almost simultaneously, unknown individuals attacked a road patrol post on one of the city streets. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, one police officer was killed and another six were injured.
Following the shooting, a manhunt was launched while the identities of the attackers are being established.
⚡️Footage of the arrest on "Beryozka" beach, allegedly showing two militants involved in the attack in Makhachkala, with people panicking and fleeing from the Caspian Sea coast. (video from social media) pic.twitter.com/TCejJj8pTz
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) June 23, 2024
Dagestan's head Sergey Melikov described the incident as an attempt to destabilize society. He emphasized that all services are acting according to protocol, and an operational headquarters has been created. All necessary decisions will be made promptly in the interest of the republic's residents' safety.
The National Anti-Terrorism Committee has announced that a legal regime of counter-terrorism operations has been implemented in the Republic of Dagestan.
