7 militants killed in Russia's Dagestan

Seven militants were killed during a special operation in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, the Russian Investigative Committee said Saturday. Law enforcement officers searched an apartment in Makhachkala, capital of the republic, where the suspected gunmen were hiding, and seized pistols, submachine-gun as well as other weapons on the scene. Six militants were killed inside the apartment and one was shot dead outdoors, according to the committee. "All those killed are presumably members of the Kizil-Yurt sabotage and terrorist group. The examination is continuing," a spokesperson from the committee's regional department told reporters. Violence is common in Russia's North Caucasus, especially in the republics of Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia, with militants frequently mounting attacks against police officers and authorities.