Soldier Kills 7, Injures 6 During Shooting Spree In Southwestern Russia

Soldier kills 7, injures 6 during shooting spree in southwestern Russia < br />

2012-08-30 03:02:15 GMT+7 (ICT)

BILEDZHI, RUSSIA (BNO NEWS) -- A Russian soldier went on a shooting spree in the North Caucasus republic of Dagestan on Tuesday afternoon, killing seven service members and injuring several others before being shot dead by police, officials said on Wednesday.

The incident began at around 4 p.m. local time when a contract soldier only identified as Aliev walked up to a checkpoint in Biledzhi, a village in the district of Derbentsky, and suddenly opened fire for no apparent reason. He fired more than 30 rounds, killing two service members and injuring two others.

Aliev then went to the base of the Special Quick Response Squad (SOBR), which is part of the Special Purpose Center of Altai Territory at Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs. He entered the facility and again opened fire, killing five police officers and injuring four others before police officers were able to kill Aliev.

Russia's Investigative Committee said it opened a murder investigation into the shooting spree and said investigators are examining the scenes. "Currently the search and investigation operations are still underway to find out all the circumstances surrounding the crimes," a spokesperson said.

Investigators said Aliev had reported for duty at 10 a.m. local time and was given an AK-47 automatic weapon with two magazines and 50 cartridges.

While the motive of the attacker remains unknown, militants in the region regularly 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 about 50 percent of all militant attacks in Russia take place.

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