Russia’s authorities say seven suspected militants have been killed in a security operation in the North Caucasus region of Daghestan.
Two gunmen were reported killed in a March 21 raid at an apartment building in the regional capital, Makhachkala.
Five other militants were killed when police searched other apartments in the building.
The National Antiterrorist Committee said those killed were suspected in an series of terrorist actions, including attacks on police officers.
Daghestan is beset by violence linked to an Islamist insurgency rooted in two separatist wars in neighboring Chechnya as well as organized crime, business turf wars, political disputes, and clan rivalry.
Violence persists across Russia's North Caucasus despite the Kremlin's efforts to restore stability after the Chechen wars.
Police and officials are regularly targeted in attacks.
