Shootout in Dagestan: Attackers target police officers
A shootout took place in Dagestan. The assailants, dressed in black, opened fire on police officers in the street. According to local authorities, cited by Reuters, one of the attackers was shot dead.
What do you need to know?
- Where did the attack occur? In Dagestan, a republic in the Russian North Caucasus.
- When did the incident take place? The attack occurred on Monday, according to information provided by Reuters.
- Who was the target of the attack? The targets were traffic police officers, three of whom were killed instantly.
How did the attack unfold?
Unidentified attackers, dressed in black, opened fire on traffic police officers in Dagestan. According to local authorities, one of the attackers was shot dead.
Verified video footage posted on Telegram shows the attackers, dressed in black, opening fire in the street, then attempting to flee, and later the same perpetrators lying in a pool of blood – as reported by Reuters.
Local authorities reported that following the incident, two police officers and several civilians, including a teenager aged 17, were hospitalised. One of the officers died in hospital.
Why is Dagestan a target for attacks?
Dagestan, populated mainly by Muslims, is a frequent site of attacks. In March, anti-terrorist unit soldiers shot four men linked to the Islamic State who were planning an attack on the local office of the interior ministry.
In June 2024, the authorities introduced a ban on wearing the niqab following attacks on churches and synagogues, in which 22 people were killed.
What are the consequences for the region?
In the 2000s, Dagestan was a site of armed clashes with jihadists.
After many years of fighting, the Islamist rebellion was suppressed by Russian forces. Nevertheless, the region continues to struggle with the problems of violence and terrorist attacks.
