Russia ends Dagestan anti-terror operation, death toll rises

The death toll in Sunday's Dagestan attack has risen to 19 with four civilians among the dead. State media reported the counter-terror operation ended after gunmen attacked churches and a synagogue.

Russian authorities said that at least 19 people were confirmed dead, while five attackers were killed during Sunday's attacks in Dagestan

Investigators in Russia on Monday said that the death toll in the Dagestan attacks has risen to 19 people, with four civilians among the dead.

"According to preliminary data, 15 law enforcement officers were killed, as well as four civilians, including an Orthodox priest," Russia's Investigative Committee said about Sunday's attack and added that five perpetrators had also been "liquidated."

Anti-terror operation over

Earlier Russian media agencies reported that anti-terror operations launched after gunmen attacked Orthodox churches and a synagogue in Dagestan, had concluded.

"Following the neutralization of the threats to the lives and health of citizens, it was decided to end the anti-terrorist operation in Dagestan from 0515 GMT," the National Antiterrorism Committee said, according to Russian news agencies.

On Sunday, security forces responded to attacks on a synagogue and an Orthodox church in Derbent and then a church and a police station in the state capital of Makhachkala, situated around 100 kilometers (62 miles) away.

Footage broadcast on Russian media showed the synagogue ablaze while videos circulating on social media showed gun battles in the streets.

Days of mourning declared

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were declared days of mourning in the region.

While there has been no immediate claim of responsibility Russian state news agency TASS quoted anonymous law enforcement sources as saying, "the gunmen who carried out attacks in Makhachkala and Derbent are supporters of an international terrorist organization," without naming a specific organization.

Dagestan is a predominantly Muslim region situated east of Chechnya, where Russian authorities battled separatists in two brutal wars, first in 1994-1996 and then in 1999-2000.

The latest attack comes three months after more than 140 people were killed in an attack on a Moscow concert hall claimed by the so-called "Islamic State" group in Afghanistan, known as Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K).

ISIS-K has killed thousands in Afghanistan and Pakistan in attacks carried out since 2015.

kb/ab (AFP, AP)