Russian Officials Say Caucasus Insurgent Leader Killed

Russia's National Antiterror Committee has announced that a suspected leader of the Islamist insurgency in the Russian North Caucasus republic of Daghestan has been killed in a special operation by security forces.

Officials said Gusein Mamaev, 24, was shot dead on May 15 during the operation in Daghestan's capital, Makhachkala.

Officials have linked Mamaev to a double bomb attack in Makhachkala on May 3 that killed at least 13 people, many of whom were security officers.

Mamaev was allegedly the leader of the Islamic insurgency in Makhachkala.

Police said they found pictures of cars used in the May 3 bombings on Mamaev’s mobile phone.

Violence between suspected Islamic militants and security forces in the North Caucasus causes hundreds of casualties each year.