AQTOBE, Kazakhstan -- Police say two people have been killed and one wounded in a special police operation in Aqtobe in western Kazakhstan.
Police say those killed were suspects wanted in connection with the murder of a police officer.
During the operation on June 23, police cordoned off a neighborhood of Aqtobe at the intersection of Sherniyazov and Herzen streets and evacuated residents.
Witnesses told RFE/RL that residents were told by masked officers to leave their homes immediately, with some people not even having enough time to gather their valuables.
Gas and electricity were then cut off.
News agencies, citing residents, reported three explosions.
Later, the authorities denied this.
Police say those killed were suspects wanted in connection with the murder of a police officer.
During the operation on June 23, police cordoned off a neighborhood of Aqtobe at the intersection of Sherniyazov and Herzen streets and evacuated residents.
Witnesses told RFE/RL that residents were told by masked officers to leave their homes immediately, with some people not even having enough time to gather their valuables.
Gas and electricity were then cut off.
News agencies, citing residents, reported three explosions.
Later, the authorities denied this.
