At least 17 militants killed in Russia's North Caucasus

At least 17 militants killed in Russia's North Caucasus

2011-03-28 23:46:47 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least 17 militants on Monday were killed in Russia's North Caucasus during an operation targeting terrorists behind the deadly suicide bombing at a Moscow airport.

According to RIA Novosti, the combined air and ground strike targeted a suspected terrorist camp. In addition to the casualties, two militants were detained and are suspects in last January's Domodedovo airport blast.

"As a result of a precision airstrike and a ground operation, a terrorist camp that trained suicide bombers, some of whom have committed terrorist attacks in North Ossetia and Ingushetia, has been destroyed," said Nikolai Sentsov, spokesman for the National Anti-Terrorist Committee.

Sentsov also informed that two Russian Federal Security operatives and a police officer were killed in the operation. The strikes were part of an ongoing operation aimed at capturing the terrorists behind the attack that killed 37 people and injured several more.

Chechen Islamist rebel leader Dokka Umarov claimed responsibility for ordering the suicide bombing that killed 37 people and injured approximately 200 more. Umarov ordered the Moscow attack in pursuit of an independent Muslim state in Russia's North Caucasus region.

Russia has been fighting terrorists in the troubled region for over a decade. Terrorist attacks are common in the mainly-Muslim region and Russia has been heavily involved in combating militant groups in there.

Also on Monday, police killed a militant in a special operation in the village of Verkhny Alkun, Sunzha district. Aslan Tsechoyev, 32, was gunned down by police officers after he opened fire at them during an ID check at a residence in Ingushetia.

Last month, Russian security forces conducted an anti-terrorism operation in the republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. One police officer was killed and six others were wounded in clashes in the Mt. Elbrus area, a famous ski resort.

One day earlier, 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 was launched in response to attacks on Russian tourists in Mt. Elbrus.

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