Killing of 6 Militants in a Special Operation by Russian Security Forces in Ingushetia

Russian state media reported this morning, Sunday, that "Russian security forces fought what they described as militants throughout the night in the Republic of Ingushetia in the North Caucasus, prompting authorities to impose emergency anti-terrorism measures in the region." The Interfax agency, citing the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, stated that during a search operation in a residential building in the town of Karabulak yesterday, Saturday, militants opened fire on Russian law enforcement forces. The agency added that "law enforcement officers who arrived at the scene engaged in a firefight with the criminals." According to Russian news agency reports, as of Sunday morning, "effective measures" had been taken to "neutralize" the militants. Interfax reported that a "terrorist defense system" had been implemented, granting authorities greater powers to restrict the movement of individuals and communications, and nearby residents were evacuated to ensure safety. Ingushetia, the smallest region in Russia, lies between North Ossetia and Chechnya, with a population of about half a million. For nearly a decade until 2017, Russian security forces engaged in combat with armed insurgencies from Islamic groups in Ingushetia as well as Dagestan and Chechnya.