Two police officers were injured on Wednesday afternoon in a bomb blast in Derbent, a city on the Caspian Sea coast of Russia’s North Caucasus Republic of Dagestan, a police source said.
“According to preliminary information, the explosive device was planted inside a garbage container. Two police officers who were on duty in the area were injured as a result,” the source said.
The officers suffered fragmentation injuries to their arms and legs and were hospitalized. The injuries are not life-threatening.
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 be operating in Dagestan.
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.