One of two militants killed in a gunfight in Russia’s volatile southern republic of Dagestan on Wednesday has been identified as gang leader Magomed Aliyev, a local police source told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
Two civilians and a serviceman were killed during the shootout that occurred late on Wednesday. Another serviceman and six civilians were wounded. An assault rifle and a handgun were seized from the site of the clash.
The source said the gang led by Aliyev extorted money from businessmen, killed religious leaders, blew up railroads and attempted to kill law enforcement officers.
“Aliyev underwent training in Syria and after returning he joined the militants,” the source said.
More than a decade after the end of a war against separatists in Russia’s North Caucasus republic of Chechnya, Russian security forces continue to fight militants in other regions in the area, including Kabardino-Balkaria, Ingushetia, Dagestan, and North Ossetia.