15 Cops Dead, Priest Murdered in Attacks on Russian Churches, Synagogues; 5 Assailants Slain

At least 15 police officers and a priest were killed when gunmen attacked a synagogue, two churches, and a police post in Russia’s North Caucasus region of Dagestan on Sunday. Over a dozen others were injured in these attacks.

The total number of deaths has not been confirmed by the Russian authorities.

As per reports, five gunmen involved in the attack were shot dead. Two terrorists were shot dead in Derbent and three in Makhachkala.

Russia’s National Anti-Terrorist Committee described the attacks as terrorist acts and announced a counter-terrorist operation in the region. No organization has claimed of responsibility for the attacks.

Both the synagogue and the churches are located in Derbent, which is home to an ancient Jewish community in the mainly-Muslim North Caucasus region. The police post attack took place in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan.