9 Aug 2012 20:38

Five policemen, two militants killed in Dagestan - NAC

MOSCOW. Aug 9 (Interfax) - Five policemen were killed during a shootout with militants in the Botlikh district of Dagestan, the National Anti-Terrorist Committee (NAC)'s press center reports.

Two militants died in the clash.

At around noon on Thursday, a group of unidentified gunmen opened fire from a mountain forest on a police unit checking reports about the presence of armed people near the village of Chanko in the Botlikh district, the report said.

Five policemen received lethal wounds.

A combat and search operation was immediately launched and police reinforcements were brought in.

The militants were surrounded in a nearby forest. Two of them were killed in a subsequent shootout and are currently being identified.

The operation continues.