Six militants and two security officers were killed in a shootout in Khasavyurt, in Russia’s North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, a spokesman for Russia’s National Anti-Terrorist Committee said on Wednesday.
Earlier one security officer was reported to have been killed in the shootout.
A tent camp with 20 militants near the village of Endirey was discovered by security forces on Tuesday. An arms cache was found there as well.
Security forces uncovered a stock of weapons, including two Kalashnikov assault rifles, two assault rifles, several grenades, pistols, silencers, cartridges, communication equipment and a large number of car license plates.
Security forces found a militant group a couple of kilometers far from the tent camp between Novoe Gadari and Toturbiykal villages on Wednesday.
“The militants opened fire and tried to escape after security forces had ordered them to lay down their arms. Six militants were killed in the ensuing shootout. Unfortunately, two security officers were killed as well,” the National Anti-Terrorist Committee said in a statement.
More than a decade after the end of a federal war against separatists in Russia’s North Caucasus republic of Chechnya, Russian security forces continue to fight militants in the area.