Death toll rises to 20 in shooting attack in Russia’s Dagestan
Head of region visits targeted church and synagogue, declares ‘sleeper cells’ directed from abroad were behind attack that also injured 46, but gives no further
Authorities say gunmen fired on 2 Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a police post. More than 15 police officers and several civilians, including an Orthodox priest, were killed by armed militants in Russia’s southern republic of Dagestan, Gov. Sergei Melikov said in a video statement early Monday.
The gunmen opened fire on two Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a police post in two cities on Sunday, according to the authorities.
Russia’s National Anti-Terrorist Committee described the attacks in the predominantly Muslim region with a history of armed militancy as terrorist acts.
