Seven Russian soldiers killed in Dagestan 'infiltrator' attack

Seven Russian soldiers died when a fellow soldier opened fire on them at a border checkpoint in the town of Derbent, Dagestan.

Reports said that the man shot dead two soldiers at their base in Beligi before launching an attack on his barracks where five more soldiers died. It is understood the gunman was killed at the barracks when troops returned fire.

Islamist rebel groups in the region claimed that at least eight soldiers were killed and identified the gunman only as “Aliev”.

The rebels also claimed to have killed one Russian soldier and injured several others in an ambush outside of the town. There is no way to independently verify such claims.

Dagestan leader killed in Gun Attack

A high ranking member of the pro-Russian government in the region of Dagestan has been killed along with his driver in a suspected separatist ambush.

Garun Kurbanov, head of Dagestan's analytical department and presidential press service, and his driver were killed in the republic's capital city of Makhachkala earlier this morning.


"Unidentified gunmen opened fire on Kurbanov's car at about 08:15 Moscow time (0415 GMT). According to preliminary reports, the official and his driver were killed," a spokesman of Dagestan's Interior Ministry was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying.

 Police have said a full investigation into the incident is underway

Friendly fire incident in Dagestan

A member of Russia's elite anti-terrorist squad has been wounded in a friendly fire incident in the village of Gubden in Dagestan.

According to initial reports a Russian soldier attempted to stop a car being driven by an undercover soldier at around 11.40am yesterday morning. When the vehicle did not slow down the soldier opened fire with a sub-machine gun, hitting the specialist in the arm.

The injured soldier was taken to a nearby hospital where his condition is described as stable.

Two police officers killed in Dagestan

Two members of the the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) have been killed in Dagestan.

In the first incident a captain of the FSB was found shot dead outside Makhachkala. The officers body was found on the slopes of Tarki-Tau mountain. He had been shot twice in the head and two bullet casings were found at the scene.

In a separate incident in Makhackala, a police officer was shot dead after his car was fired on by an unidentified individual using an automatic pistol. One suspect has been arrested.

Reports of skirmishes in Dagestan

At least seven Russian police officers have been wounded in a rebel attack on a government building in Rabbanikala, it has emerged.

A government spokesperson said that the building came under attack from gunmen armed with automatic weapons at around 11.15pm last night. After an initial burst of fire the rebels withdrew leaving a car packed with explosives outside the building. It exploded a few seconds later causing substantial damage to the building and destroying a number of nearby police vehicles. There were no fatalities.

In a separate incident, the Russian Military claims that it's forces killed three rebels in a shootout at a checkpoint outside Shamilkala. Rebels have claimed that they have "no knowledge" that any of their fighters were involved in the incident and said they believed that Russian forces may simply have fired on a car at random - killing three young male occupants. The Russian Military claims it's forces were fired on from the vehicle.

Rebels claim responsibility for assassinations

Dagestani separatist rebels have claimed responsibility for the shooting dead of a military official and a politician.

In the first incident Lieuteneant-Colonel Magutdin Urdikhanov was shot in the chest on the outskirts of the village of Khalil in the Tabasaran district of the country. He died of his wounds a short time later. According to initial reports Urdikhanov was attached to the Internal Security Unit of the Interior Ministry.

In a separate attack, Alibulat Gasanov, a member of the People's Assembly was seriously wounded in an assassination attempt in the Kaytag region of the province. His brother, who was driving the car, died at the scene. It is unclear whether or not Gasanov has survived however a rebel news site is claiming that he has since died of his injuries. It is also unclear how the car was attacked although local media has claimed that it was attacked by gunmen.

Police Officer killed in Dagestan

A police officer has been shot dead by rebels in Dagestan, it has been claimed.

While Russian security forces have so far failed to comment on the incident, A news agency linked to rebel groups has claimed that a Russian police officer who also worked in provinces tax and revenue offices, named as Zalkipri Sheykovnear, was killed in a drive-by shooting today.

Rebel sources claimed that he died instantly after being shot multiple times with automatic weapons outside the Muslim Spiritual Administration's building in the capital.

Chechen Commander appeals for new recruits

Chechen Rebel Commander and self-proclaimed underground President of the Chechen Republic, Doku Umarov, has called for more recruits to help drive the Russian Military from the northern Caucasus.

In a video which was released by the Kavkaz Center, Doku Umarov urges young people to join with his forces in the Caucasus Mountains. He also called on existing rebel units in Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria to "intesify operations to eliminate our enemies". He went on to say that rebel attacks would increase as the harsh Caucasian Winter came to an end.

The northern Caucasus has seen an increase in fighting between rebels and pro-Government forces in recent years, with violence in areas like Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria surpassing that of Chechnya. Describing the situation, Umarov said:

"Today there is a total war going on. It is not us who had declared it on Russia, it was Russia who declared it on us. When there is a total war, there are not peaceful people left. If total war has been declare on us, then Allah permits us to fight with them as they fight with us.

Therefore, today we have the right to fight against them the way they are fighting against us. I urge you, fight with them, destroy them."

Bomb explodes in Kizilyurt

A bomb has exploded at the home of a member of the pro-Russian Dagestani government in the town of Kizilyurt. There have been no reports of injuries, separatist rebels are suspected.

Meanwhile also in Kizilyurt, a man, named locally as Ruslan Atayev, was shot dead by Russian Security forces at a checkpoint in the town. Police claimed that the man was an armed rebel and had opened fire at the checkpoint however this has been denied by separatists who said that he was not known to them. No further details have been released

Police injured in Dagestan bomb attack

A number of police officers have been injured in a double bomb attack in the city of Kizlyar, Dagestan.

The first bomb exploded inside a liquor store in the early hours of yesterday morning, there were no injuries. Premises which sell alcohol are frequently targeted by Islamic militants in the area. Following the blast a number of police units arrived on the scene.

About 20 minutes later a second bomb, which was concealed nearby, exploded. It is reported that a number of police officers suffered shrapnel wounds although an exact number is not known.

Dagestani militants have issued warnings to other premises in the town which sell alcohol to cease their operations.

Four killed in Dagestan bomb

At least four people have been killed in a bomb blast in Khasavyurt, Dagestan.

The bomb exploded at around 7.30pm on Friday night near the White Night Café. Two café staff and two customers were killed in the explosion while another five people were seriously injured. According to preliminary investigations, the bomb was hidden in a car which was parked outside the building.

Separatist rebels have claimed responsibility for the attack claiming that the café was in fact a brothel being run to service Russian soldiers who are stationed in Khasavyurt. In a statement on the Kavkaz Centre website, the separatists said that two of the dead were prostitutes and the other two were clients.

Over 100 civilians killed in Caucasus conflict in 2010

Over 100 civilians died in the ongoing conflicts in the North Caucasus in 2010. These include victims of Russian Security Forces and separatist rebels. Chechnya and Dagestan have remained the most dangerous areas of the Caucasus while there has been a sharp increase in violence in neighbouring Kabardino-Balkaria.

Dagestan - In Dagestan at least 54 civilians died of conflict related deaths in 2010. These included a 9 year-old boy who was shot dead by a stray bullet fired by Security Forces on December 6th during a counter-terrorist operation. A number of those who were killed had been abducted and tortured before their bodies were found dumped in rural areas. The latest victim of such an incident was Zaur Alibekov who was kidnapped and murdered on December 12th. Russia was found guilty of murdering and dissappearing two brothers during the Second Chechen War.

Chechnya and Ingushetia - At least 30 civilians died conflict related deaths in Chechnya and neighbouring Ingushetia last year. In one incident in the town of Arshti on February 11th at least four civilians were killed and 14 wounded in counter-terrorist operations being conducted by Russian forces. It is particularly difficult to verify the number of civilians killed in Chechnya however, as relatives of alleged gunmen have frequently claimed that those killed were in fact civilians.

Kabardino-Balkaria - While little statistics exist for Kabardino-Balkaria there has been a sharp rise in attacks during the year.

Shootout in Dagestan leaves up to 8 dead

Russian forces claim that they have killed eight separatist fighters in a gun battle in Dagestan.

The Russian special forces agency, the FSB, claims the eight were killed after they were trapped in a house in central Makhachkala. One of those reporteded to have died is said to be the Commander of separatist forces in the city. The FSB said it suffered no losses during the attack.

Russian forces are known to play down their losses and exaggerate those suffered by separatists in the Caucasus region as there is no way of independently verifying any claims. So far the rebels have not made any comment on the incident. The Russian Military has also confirmed that three of it's soldiers were wounded in a bomb attack in Makhachkala on Thursday.

If the claim is true it would be one of the heaviest losses suffered by rebels in recent years. Last month, ten Russian soldiers and two FSB agents were killed in a shootout with rebels in a forest in southern Dagestan and in recent weeks separatists have conducted a camapign of targeted assassinations against government officials and senior police officers.

Police Inspector shot dead in Dagestan

The Dagestan Ministry of Internal Affairs has confirmed that a police inspector has been shot dead.

It is believed the Inspector, a member of the State Traffic Safety Inspecorate, was gunned down a short distance from his home while on his way to work. The attack took place in the village of Sergokala. Dagestani separatists are suspected.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Russian Army posts attacked in Dagestan

A Russian Army post was attacked by suspected Dagestani rebels yesterday.

The incident happened at an Army checkpoint at the entrance to Khasavyurt. According to reports, two officers from the Ministry for Internal Affairs were wounded. It is understood that the gunmen made their getaway in a hijacked vehcile. In a follow up operation a homemade landmine was discovered around 100 metres from the post. The device contained 3kg of commerical explosive.

Earlier in the day one Police officer was wounded when a checkpoint in Kaspiisk was attacked by gunmen.

The attacks comes just days after the Chechen President said he believed that rebels had fled from the southern Chechen and Dagestani mountains.

Rebels destroy Liquor store

 
Dagestani rebels destroyed a liquour store in Dagestan today.

The "Elite Store" on Shamil Avenue in Stalsky Village, Dagestan, was sprayed with petrol by a unit of rebel fighters before being set alight. A rocket was then fired at the building. There were no injuries although two employees were forced from the shop at gun point before it was destroyed. They were told to cease working for companies who sell alcohol.

Dagestan is an overwhelmingly Muslim state. According to the Qur'an, Muslims are not permitted to consume alcohol.

Carbomb explodes in Dagestan - Senior FSB officer killed

A senior member of the Russian paramilitary police force operating in Dagestan has been killed in a rebel carbomb attack.

Lieutenant Colonel Said Magomedov died in hospital today after suffering serious injuries in an explosion at a police barracks in the town of Karabudaakhkent at around 9am this morning.

It is understood that the a booby-trap bomb was fitted to the underside side of the officers vehicle and it was triggered when the officer got out of his vehicle.

Chechen and Dagestani separatists are suspected.

Russian base shelled in Dagestan

Separatists with assault rifles and a rocket launcher

A Russian Military base in Dagestan has come under mortar and grenade attack.

The incident occurred at a military base in the town of Khunzahk. According to a representative from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the base was attacked by unknown gunmen using rocket and grenade launchers in the early hours of the morning. The representative said that there had been no casualties but that the attacks damaged several buildings and resulted in a fire within the compound. The fire has since been contained.

The gunmen, most likely separatist rebels, managed to escape.

Rebel offensive continues in Dagestan

A detachment of rebel fighters - active in both Dagestan and Chechnya

A large scale separatist offensive is continuing in Dagestan where a number of attacks against military and police units have taken place.

On Friday one police officer was killed and another was wounded in a gun attack in the capital Makhachkala. According to eyewitnesses, one rebel fighter was also killed in the exchange of fire. There has not been any confirmation from either side however Russian media sources have confirmed that one police officer was injured.

In a seperate incident, Russian Life media centre has reported that a Russian armoured patrol was attacked by rebels armed with grenade launchers in Nazran, capital of neighbouring Ingushetia. There are no reports of casualties on either side.

Late on Friday night, at least four police officers are reported to have been killed or wounded in a mobile attack in the village of Khasavyurt. It is reported that a unit of rebel fighters approached the village in a vehicle from which they opened fire on a police patrol. The Russian military has confirmed that one police officer was killed and two injured.

On Thursday night, a late-night Café in the Derbent district, which is frequented by police officers, was attacked by rebels using grenade launchers. There are no reports on casualties.

Police officer killed in Dagestan hospital attack

A Russian police officer has been shot dead in the Dagestani capital of Makhachkala.

It is reported that earlier in the day a Russian patrol vehicle was damaged in a bomb attack. Later in a the day, a Police officer was admitted to hospital with a broken arm. It is unclear whether the officer had been injured in the earlier bomb blast.

While only a small number of details are known it is understood that the officer was gunned down while in the hospital in Khasavyurt. The attack came only hours after another police officer was shot dead in neighbouring Grozny.