In a deadly shootout in the southern Russian republic of Dagestan, three police officers were killed on Monday after unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle, according to reports from regional authorities and news agency Reuters.
The brazen attack occurred in broad daylight, causing widespread panic in the area. Eyewitness videos circulating on Telegram appear to show the bodies of the officers lying beside a police vehicle. In one such clip, the sound of continued gunfire can be heard in the distance, suggesting the incident may have unfolded in multiple phases.
Russia’s state news agency TASS reported that at least one of the attackers was killed during the exchange of fire. A separate widely circulated video appeared to capture a gunman, dressed in black, firing down a street before fleeing the scene.
Several Telegram channels also published unverified photographs that allegedly show the bodies of two gunmen lying in pools of blood, though official confirmation of the attackers’ identities has yet to be provided.
Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim region in the North Caucasus, has been the site of several deadly incidents in recent years linked to terrorism and insurgency. Just this past March, Russian counter-terrorism forces killed four alleged Islamic State (ISIS) militants who were reportedly planning an attack on a regional branch of the interior ministry.
Authorities have not yet officially commented on the motive behind Monday’s attack or whether it is linked to any extremist groups. Investigations are ongoing.
Sources By Agencies
