Dagestan declares 3-day mourning as deadly attacks kill more than 15 people

YEREVAN, JUNE 24, ARMENPRESS. Attacks on police officers, churches and a synagogue in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan have left more than 15 people dead. Gunmen targeted the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala on the Orthodox festival of Pentecost.

“More than 15 police officers fell victim to the terror attack,” Sergey Melikov, the head of the Republic wrote in Telegram.

Several civilians have also been killed, he added.

According to the National Antiterrorism committee, 5 of the militants were killed. Three of them were the sons and the nephew of the head of the Sergokalinsky district of Dagestan. The official has been arrested.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Dagestan, 16 people have been injured, including 13 policemen and 3 civilians.

A three-day mourning has been declared in Dagestan. From Monday to Wednesday national flags will be lowered, all entertainment programs on TV and radio companies and entertainment events will be cancelled.