Suicide bombers kill seven in southwest Russia

Suicide bombers kill seven in southwest Russia

2011-08-31 09:39:04 GMT+7 (ICT)

GROZNY, RUSSIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least seven people were killed on Tuesday evening when two suicide bombers blew themselves up in southwestern Russia, local officials said.

The first attack happened in the Leninsky district of Grozny, the capital city of Russia's Chechen Republic, as police officers tried to detain a suspected militant. He then detonated his explosives, killing two police officers.

About 30 minutes later, a second suicide bomber blew himself up in the same region, killing five more people. Among the seven killed were five police officers, an official from the Emergencies Ministry, and a civilian.

In addition to the fatalities, at least 18 people were injured, according to the Ria Novosti news agency.

Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the Russian North Caucasus republic, said those who carried out the attack were showing their 'true nature,' which further proves that they should be eliminated, he said. The attack occurred as Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Investigations are ongoing, as no group or terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In mid-October 2010, six people were killed and scores of others were injured when a group of insurgents attacked the parliament building in Grozny. It followed an attack in August 2010 when Islamist rebels launched an attack on the heavily defended residence of Kadyrov, killing 19 people.

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