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Two gunmen refusing to surrender arms in operation in North Caucasus killed

MOSCOW, December 15, (TAR-TASS). Gunmen refusing to surrender arms have been killed in an anti-terrorist operation in the Russian North Caucasian Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, sources from the Russian National Antiterrorism Committee have told Tass, specifying that “two gunmen were neutralize”.

The active phase of the operation in the republic’s Elbrus district has been suspended till morning.

In an operation to find gunmen involved in terrorism-related crimes in North Caucasus, information was received that several gunmen were hiding in a residential house in the settlement of Bylym, Elbrus district. The anti-terrorist operation regime was introduced at 08:30 Moscow time in the settlement Bylym. The house where the gunmen had entrenched themselves was blocked by police and law enforcement officers.

Residents were evacuated from nearby houses. “In negotiations with the gunmen, they agreed to let a woman with a child out of the house. However, when asked to surrender, the gunmen opened fire at staffers of the Federal Security Service and the Interior Ministry, and also used grenades,” sources from the National Antiterrorism Committee said. The fight continued several hours. “According to early reports, two gunmen were liquidated. A special forces officer was slightly wounded. The active phase of the special operation was suspended after dark,” the sources continued.

Temporary restrictions and special measures stay in place in the area as envisaged in counter-terrorist operations.

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