Gunmen have attacked Orthodox churches and a synagogue in the Russian republic of Dagestan. 7 policemen and a priest were killed in the attacks.
The attacks took place in Dagestan's largest city, Makhachkala, and in the coastal city of Derbent.
Russia's Investigative Committee said it had opened a criminal investigation into "terrorist acts" in predominantly Muslim Dagestan.
Dagestan's interior ministry said police killed four of the gunmen in Makhachkala.
"This evening in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala, armed attacks were carried out against two Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a police checkpoint," the National Anti-Terrorism Committee said.
"As a result of the terrorist attacks, according to preliminary information, a priest from the Russian Orthodox Church and police officers died," added the committee.
Later, the Ministry of the Interior announced that the local police chief had died of his wounds.
Meanwhile, Russia's National Guard said one of its officers was killed in Derbent and several others were wounded.
Later in the village of Sergokal, located 65 km from Makhachkala, assailants fired at a police car and wounded another policeman. | BGNES