Moscow. A major terrorist attack took place in Russia’s Dagestan on Sunday. Six gunmen attacked two cities here. These terrorists stormed into two Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a police post and started firing bullets indiscriminately. A priest and at least 15 policemen were killed in this attack. Russia Today reported that two attackers were also killed in police retaliation. The attacks took place in the regional capital Makhachkala and the city of Derbent.
No terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for these attacks in Makhachkala and Derbent cities of North Caucasus, Russia. However, the needle of suspicion is pointing towards Islamic State, because about 3 months ago it attacked a concert hall near Moscow. 145 people were killed in that attack.
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On the other hand, Dagestan Governor Sergei Melikov said in a video released on the Telegram messaging app on Monday, “This is a day of tragedy for Dagestan and the whole country.” Melikov said that all six gunmen involved in this attack have been shot dead. On the other hand, Russian government news agencies quoted the National Anti-Terrorism Committee as saying that five gunmen have been killed.
Earlier Russian media reports said that unidentified attackers opened fire with automatic weapons on religious buildings in Makhachkala and then fled in a car. A traffic police station in the center of Makhachkala was also attacked, killing several policemen.
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A 66-year-old Orthodox priest was killed in an attack on a church in Derbent. Earlier, a local government official claimed that the attackers had slit the priest’s throat. A video of the attack on police officers in Derbent was made and shared on social media. Gunfire can be heard in the clip, and police vehicles can be seen parked on the road.
According to eyewitnesses of this attack, the sound of gunfire can still be heard in central Derbent. Firing is ongoing between the police and the attackers near the Orthodox Church.
On the other hand, local Muslim leaders have condemned the attacks. The head of the North Caucasus Muslim Coordination Council called the attackers ‘cruel and disgusting animals’, while the head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, called the attacks a provocative act and an attempt to create differences between religions.
Tags: Russia, Terrorist attack
FIRST PUBLISHED : June 24, 2024, 09:27 IST