A police patrolman was shot dead late on Friday in a remote village in Russia’s volatile North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, the republic’s Interior Ministry said on Saturday.
According to preliminary investigation, a group of unknown assailants sprayed the car driven by the police officer with automatic gunfire. The policemen died at the scene from sustained injuries.
“Some 20 7.62-mm and 17 5.45-mm spent cartridges were found at the site of the attack,” an Interior Ministry spokesman told RIA Novosti.
The troubled region sees frequent attacks on law enforcement officers and government officials as Moscow continues to battle an Islamist insurgency there.
At least 12 militant groups made up of about 300 people are believed to operate in Dagestan.
The Russian authorities have moved to improve the poor economic conditions in the North Caucasus republics and curb unemployment, which are considered to be the main factors driving local residents to join militant groups.