One police officer killed, six injured in Russia's North Caucasus

One police officer killed, six injured in Russia's North Caucasus

2011-02-24 00:04:23 GMT+7 (ICT)

NALCHIK, RUSSIA (BNO NEWS) -- One police officer on Wednesday was killed and six others were wounded during clashes with suspected militants in Russia's North Caucasus, RIA Novosti reported.

The clashes took place as Russian security forces resumed an anti-terrorism operation in the republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. The law agents discovered a hiding place where militants hid weapons and explosives in the Mt. Elbrus area, a famous ski resort.

Five suspected militants opened fire at the security forces who were examining the area. One Russian law agent died and six others were wounded. There was no immediate report on deaths or injuries among the militants.

The anti-terrorism operation began on Tuesday as announced by the National Counter Terrorism Committee. A group of seven militants was traced in the area and refused to lay down arms. After a gunfight, three militants were killed and the four others escaped.

The operation covers all towns and villages of the Elbrus district, including the town of Tyrnyauz, nine villages and part of the Baksansky district where terrorist activities have increased.

The militants are suspected of being behind the weekend attacks on Russian tourists in the Mt. Elbrus area. Three tourists, including a woman, were on board of a van and were heading to the ski resort, when assailants attacked and killed them.

Police forces also defused three explosive devices which were found in a vehicle parked near a hotel near Mount Cheget, another ski resort in Kabardino-Balkaria. On Friday, an explosion hit a cable car in Mt. Elbrus and 40 cabins crashed to the ground but no one was injured.

The North Caucasus region in southern Russia has witnessed many terrorist attacks in recent times. Russia has been heavily involved in combating militant groups in the area.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-02-24