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Gang leader destroyed in Karachai-Cherkessia

All of the destroyed militants have been on the wanted list

MOSCOW, December 20 (Itar-Tass) — A gang leader was among the gunmen destroyed in Karachai-Cherkessia, a representative of the information center of the National Antiterrorist committee told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.

"The destroyed militants have been identified as gang leader Islam Uzdenov, 20, Murat Batchayev, 19, and Ruslan Kaitov, 31. All have been on the wanted list. Police found on the bodies three Kalashnikov assault rifles and a large number of ammunition," the NAK said.

"The gunmen are suspected of involvement in terrorism-related crimes, including attacks on law-enforcement personnel in the village of Mirny, Stavropol territory on September 1, and the village of Uchkeken, Karachai-Cherkessia, on October 28. Two police were killed and another two were wounded in the attacks.

On December 19-20, the operations headquarters of the National Antiterrorist Committee in Karachai-Cherkessia conducted an anti-terrorist operation against members of the group of saboteurs and terrorists operating in the territory of the republic.

Agents of the republic’s units of the Federal Security Service, jointly with police, blocked three members of the gang led by Uzdenov. The head of the operations headquarters, who is director of the regional department of the Federal Security Service, decided to launch an anti-terrorist operation, starting 19:00, Moscow time, and impose restrictions on the area.

"Before the active phase of the operation, law-enforcement bodies evacuated the tenants and offered the gunmen to surrender. In response, the bandits fired on police and were neutralized in return fire. The anti-terrorist regime was canceled in the area at 03:00, Moscow time.

"There have been no casualties among the civilians. One police officer has been wounded," a NAK official said.

Reports said the wounded police officer had been rushed to an IT ward. Police also said gang members Saryyev and Bairamkulov had been destroyed before as they offered armed resistance.