7 Killed, Several Injured as Armed Militants Attack Church And Police Post in Russia

Moscow: In a deadly terrorists attack at three places including a police post in Russia’s North Caucasus region of Dagestan on Sunday, at least six police officers and a priest were killed and around 12 others were left injured. The incident occurred after armed militants, executed a series of coordinated attacks, targeting a synagogue, an Orthodox church and a police post in Russia's North Caucasus region of Dagestan.

Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said in a statement that a Russian Orthodox Church priest and police officers were killed in the “terrorist” attacks. Reports suggest that among the twelve wounded people, who are under treatment at various hospitals, the majority are police officers.

As per the information, both the synagogue and the church are located in Derbent, which is home to the ancient Jewish community in the mainly-Muslim North Caucasus region. The police post, where the attack took place, is located in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, which is about 125 kilometres away from the Derbent.

Russian Security Agency on High Alert

Following the attack, Russia’s Interior Ministry confirmed the attack saying that the incident occurred on Sunday evening, June 23, with reports indicating that the attackers also targeted an Orthodox church which resulted in the killing of a priest.

"Unidentified people fired at a synagogue and a church with automatic weapons," as per the Interior Ministry.

Dagestan Public Monitoring Commission Chairman Shamil Khadulaev, “According to the information I received, Father Nikolay was killed in the Church in Derbent, they slit his throat. He was 66-years-old and very ill."

As per the reports, the synagogue, located in an ancient Jewish community in the South Caucasus and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was on fire after the attack. Meanwhile, the terrorists, drove away in a vehicle after the attack. The police are currently searching for the vehicle and the suspects. 

There are reports that the police have tracked and neutralised the attackers. However, no official confirmation has surfaced.

Sergey Melikov, head of the Dagestan Republic, issued a statement online saying that “unknown persons made attempts to destabilise the social situation. Dagestan police officers stood in their way. According to preliminary information, there are victims among them".

According to Russian officials, they have launched a terror investigation into the attacks.