Three killed, dozens injured after series of attacks in Russia's North Caucasus

[News_Editor]

Three killed, dozens injured after series of attacks in Russia's North Caucasus

2011-09-22 18:10:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

MAKHACHKALA, DAGESTAN (BNO NEWS) -- Three people were killed on early Thursday morning when militants carried out three attacks in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, officials said. More than 60 others were injured.

The first attack happened at around 00.20 a.m. local time when a car bomb exploded on a residential street in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, several hundred meters (feet) from the republic's Interior Ministry building. It was a fairly small explosion, causing no injuries.

As emergency services rushed to the scene of the blast, about 15 minutes later, a far more powerful car bomb exploded about 40 meters (130 feet) from the scene of the first explosion. One police officer was killed in the second attack, which was apparently intended to target emergency services responding to the first blast.

In addition to the fatality, police said a total of 61 people were injured, including three people who remain in a grave condition, according to the ITAR-TASS news agency. Among the injured, some of whom were treated at the scene, were 44 police officers.

Several hours after the twin car bombing, militants armed with machine guns opened fire at a vehicle transporting Buinaksk district police chief Akhmadnabi Adilkhanov. Although the chief was not injured, two of his guards were killed.

The series of attacks on Thursday morning followed another explosion in Makhachkala on Wednesday. Police said three people were killed when a car containing an explosive device, a grenade, and handguns exploded on a street. It is believed the victims were the militants themselves.

As a result of the deteriorating situation, the ITAR-TASS news agency reported that Dagestan President Magomedsalam Magomedov cut short his trip to the Russian capital of Moscow. He is expected to return later on Thursday and organize an emergency meeting of his government.

Militants in the region continue to carry out attacks against security forces, police, and civilians, more than a decade after a separatist war ended in Chechnya. The volatile region of Dagestan neighbors Chechnya where around 50 percent of all militant attacks in Russia last year took place.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-09-22

[geriatrickid]

Can't wait for the Russian response. Maybe the arab countries should organize a freedom flotilla to help their brethern.