Terrorist attacks in Russia's Dagestan kill 10, injure 34 UPDATED/VIDEO

The number of dead during the terrorist attacks in Russia's Dagestan Republic has increased to 10 people, eight of whom are police officers.

The number of wounded increased to 34 people, including 27 police officers, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Telegram channel "112".

On June 23 in the evening militants fired on a synagogue and a church in Derbent with automatic weapons. A criminal case has been opened under the article "terrorist act". A counter-terrorist operation regime was introduced in the republic.

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On the evening of June 23, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks struck the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent in the Russian Federation, resulting in the deaths of nine people and injuries to 25 others.

The assailants targeted two Orthodox churches, a synagogue, and a traffic police post. The attacks have shaken the region and prompted a swift response from law enforcement and government officials, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian sources.

The attacks began with armed assaults on religious institutions. Shamil Khadulaev, Chairman of the Public Supervisory Commission of Dagestan, reported on his Telegram channel that "Father Nicholas in the church in Derbent was killed" and "Guard Mikhail in the church in Makhachkala-1, armed only with a gas pistol, was shot." Khadulaev added that priests had locked themselves inside the church, awaiting help.

The Investigative Committee of the Republic of Dagestan has opened criminal cases under Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, classifying the incidents as terrorist acts. In Makhachkala, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Dagestan confirmed that "one police officer was killed and one wounded as a result of an attack by unknown assailants." The attackers fled the scene in a white Volkswagen Polo car.

The violence also led to a significant loss of life among law enforcement officers. According to the Telegram channel "112," five police officers were killed during the attacks, with nine others injured. The attackers' identities were partially revealed when two assailants were killed during a confrontation with police. Baza Telegram channel posted a video showing "two men in black clothes lying on the asphalt" with visible traces of blood nearby.

Initial reports suggested that hostages were being held in a church in Makhachkala. However, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Dagestan denied these claims, stating, "There is no talk of any hostages. 19 people locked themselves indoors. They are no longer in danger; this territory is protected."

In response to the attacks, a counter-terrorism operation regime has been implemented throughout Dagestan. The National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC) announced, "In order to ensure the safety of citizens, suppress terrorist crimes and detain persons involved in an armed attack, the head of the Russian FSB department for the Republic of Dagestan decided to conduct a counter-terrorism operation and introduce the legal regime for a counter-terrorism operation." Efforts are currently underway to neutralize the remaining militants involved in the attacks.

The government of Dagestan has mobilized all executive authorities to address the situation. Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Dagestan, Abdulmuslim Abdulmuslimov, commented that the attacks are "an attempt to weaken the existing consolidation of society in the region." He assured that victims are receiving necessary medical care and emphasized the commitment to restoring order.

In a related development, the head of the Sergokalinsky district of Dagestan, Magomed Omarov, was detained following reports that his sons participated in the attacks. According to law enforcement sources, Omarov's sons, Osman and Adil, were killed during a shootout with police. Omarov has since resigned from his position.

These tragic events have cast a shadow over Dagestan, with the community mourning the loss of lives and grappling with the aftermath of such violent attacks.