Police Officer Shot Dead In Daghestan

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (left) in Daghestan

MAKHACHKALA, Daghestan -- A police officer was has been killed by an unknown assailant in Daghestan's capital, Makhachkala, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.

Police say the police major was shot early on June 12 as he was on his way to work.

Separately, Reuters reported that the leader of a group that carried out and planned attacks against the security forces was killed during the operation in Makhachkala on June 12.

A local Interior Ministry spokesman identified the militant as Omar Ramazanov.

The Russian republic of Daghestan is in the volatile North Caucasus region and has witnessed several attacks against police in the last several days.

Last week, the republic's interior minister, Adilgirey Magomedtagirov, was killed by a sniper in central Makhachkala.

Following a visit to Makhachkala by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on June 9, security forces launched a special counterterrorist operation.

Two police officers were killed in separate incidents within hours after Medvedev left the republic.