Russian authorities have initiated a “counter-terrorism operation” in Dagestan’s southern region, detaining three individuals as of Sunday morning, according to reports from Russian news agencies, citing the National Anti-Terrorism Committee.
The move follows Russia’s heightened state of alert following a devastating mass shooting at a concert hall in Moscow on March 22, described as the country’s deadliest attack in two decades, resulting in the deaths of at least 144 individuals.
In a statement on Sunday, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee revealed that security agencies had apprehended three “bandits” suspected of planning a series of terrorist activities.
“During the inspection of the places where the criminals were detained, automatic weapons, ammunition, and an improvised explosive device ready for use were found,” the committee added.
Earlier reports from the committee indicated that suspected criminals had been cornered by security services in several flats across residential areas of the regional capital Makhachkala, as well as in Kaspiysk, one of Dagestan’s largest cities.
The committee confirmed that there were no civilian casualties and no losses among the law enforcement personnel, reassuring the public of the operation’s safety measures. Nevertheless, it emphasized that the operation remains ongoing.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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