Georgia conducts hostage release operation on border with Russia
TBILISI. Aug 29 (Interfax) - Georgian special forces are conducting a hostage release operation in the Lopota Gorge on the border between Georgia and Russia's Dagestan, the Georgian Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.
A group of armed men crossed over to Georgia from Russia and took three groups of civilians hostage, security officials said. Each group consists of 2-3 hostages.
During overnight clashes Georgian forces managed to release two groups of hostages, killing one of the gunmen, the Interior Ministry said. Some people have been injured and hospitalized.
Efforts are under way to release the third group of hostages.
A military helicopter landed on the grounds of the Gudushauri clinic in Tbilisi on Wednesday afternoon, the Georgian media said.
The hospital grounds have been cordoned off by the police to keep the press and visitors out, the media said.
The hospital presumably admitted those who were injured in the special operation on the Georgian-Russian border, the media said.
Some people were reportedly injured during the special operation, the Rustavi-2 television company said earlier.