MOSCOW, January 20 (RIA Novosti) – Three militants were killed Monday during a special operation of security forces in the capital of Russia’s republic of Dagestan, Russia's National Anti-terrorism Committee said Monday.
One of the militants killed was identified by the committee as Khasaev Arslanbek, a member of a local armed gang wanted by authorities for over a year.
The committee said earlier that security forces were in conversation with militants holed up in a barricaded house, following a lockdown imposed on parts of the city.
Seven militants were killed in a shootout with law enforcement on Saturday in Makhachkala, one day after a grenade and car bomb attack on a restaurant wounded at least five people.
International officials have expressed concern over violence from the troubled region affecting the upcoming Sochi Winter Games.
Updated with new headline and lede with information on the deaths of the militants.