Seven Reported Dead In Special Operation In Daghestan

Security forces have launched a raid on a building in capital of the Russian North Caucasus region of Daghestan, Makhachkala, killing seven members of an illegal armed group.

The operation started on December 28 when security forces exchanged fire with one member of the armed group, killing the suspect.

The six remaining members of the group fled into the building.

Security forces surrounded the building and waited until the next morning to launch the operation to neutralize them.

Daghestan's branch of Russia's Investigative Committee said weapons were found at the scene.

A spokesman of the information center of the National Antiterrorism Committee told ITAR-TASS that the gang was planning to commit several robberies and killings in Makhachkala.

In a separate raid on December 28, police and security forces killed armed people in the village of Chontaul, in the Kizilyurt district.