Russia Says Militant Commander Killed In Daghestan Raid

August 12, 2011
Russia says its forces in the North Caucasus have killed at least six suspected militants, including an alleged top commander responsible for a number of deadly attacks on Russian servicemen.
 
Russia's Counterterrorism Committee said on August 11 that Abdullah Magomedaliyev was among those killed in what was described as a special operation in Daghestan's capital, Makhachkala.
 
Russian reports say Magomedaliyev is believed responsible for masterminding an attack at a police base in Buinaksk in September 2010 that killed 56 Russian servicemen. The report also blames him for a number of other attacks.
 
The Counterterrorism Committee also accuses Magomedaliyev of having "contacts with Georgian secret services," who assisted his terrorist activities.
 
No comment from Georgian authorities was immediately available.
 
Russia and Georgia regularly accuse each other of interference in each other's affairs.
 
Russia's North Caucasus region, which includes Daghestan and neighboring Chechnya, sees near-daily attacks by suspected militants.
 
compiled from agency reports