Nazarbayev: Aktobe attacks plotted by adherents to Salafism
ASTANA. June 10 (Interfax) - The recent terrorist attacks in Kazakhstan's Aktobe were plotted by adherents to Salafism, a movement within Sunni Islam, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
"We know already that this was a terrorist sortie by a group of adherents to the non-traditional religious movement of Salafism," the presidential press service quoted Nazarbayev as saying at a Kazakh Security Council meeting on Friday.
"By ensuring freedom of religion in the republic, we at the same are determined to give a resolute rebuff to all those who would destabilize the situation in the country under the guise of religious slogans," he said.
It was reported earlier that a group of religious radicals attacked two gun stores and a military garrison in Aktobe on June 5. Seven people, including three servicemen and four civilians, were killed in the attack.
Security forces killed 13 and detained nine attackers the same day, and six others were declared wanted. Kazakh special services announced the killing of five other extremists on Friday.