20 March 2009, 21:10
At least 10 persons killed in armed clash in Dagestan
According to the latest data, in the armed clash with militants in the Karabudakhkent District of Dagestan, four militaries were lost, three more wounded; at least six militants were liquidated. This was reported to journalists by Magomed Ismailov, Deputy Interior Minister of Dagestan.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the operation of revealing and neutralizing the militants, who are commanded by Magomedli Vagabov, is conducted from March 17. Yesterday, on March 19, at 5:30 p.m., the vicinity of Kakashura village of the Karabudakhkent District was announced to be a counterterrorist operation (CTO) zone.
Deputy Minister Ismailov has noted that now the fight continues near the village: up to 8 militants broke into smaller groups and put up resistance, as the ITAR-TASS reports. They are hiding under rocks and in caves. From time to time they are shelled by mortars and bombarded from helicopters.
Mark Tolchinskiy, head of the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Dagestan, has stated that the militants try to break through the cordon, as "Channel One" has reported. "Now, groups of special fighters will get into the forest. We plan to finish the special operation today," said Mr Tolchinskiy.
Earlier, the MIA of Dagestan had reported that the special operation aimed to search militants will last till Magomedli Vagabov is liquidated and his group is driven out of the forest. It was assumed that the CTO regime can last for up to two months. Vagabov and members of his gang are in federal and international search for a number of crimes, including attempts on life of law enforcers.
