Dagestani special services kill nearly 30, detain about 200 militants in Jan-June 2016 - prosecutor's office
MAKHACHKALA. Aug 5 (Interfax) - Special services in Dagestan killed dozens and detained hundreds of people suspected of belonging to illegal armed groups in the first six months of 2016, the Dagestani prosecutor's office reported.
"In conducting special operations in Dagestani territory this year, special services officials killed 29 leaders and members of illegal armed groups, including those who had returned from the warzone in Syria. In addition, about 200 members of illegal armed groups have been detained and prosecuted," it said.
The number of terrorism-related crimes recorded in the republic has grown by 57%, that is, to 552 from 352, which can be attributed to "the law enforcement agencies' more active efforts toward identifying individuals providing assistance to terrorists and those who traveled to Syria to join the civil armed conflict," it said.