Militants killed in Dagestan could be preparing seizure of a gymnasium

Representatives of the law enforcement agencies do not preclude the possibility that the militants killed on November 12 in the Dagestan capital intended to capture hostages in the gymnasium No 7 located nearby.

The "Tvoi Den" newspaper cites its source at the secret services to the effect that the militants were planning an act similar to that in Beslan - seizure of gymnasium No 7 located 70 meters away from their hiding place, during the New Year morning festivities.

For reference, clearing of the ruins of houses where the militants were hiding and killed in the course of a secret operation in Makhachkala on the previous day, is under way. It is supposed that the bodies of two more persons may still be in the house basement.

At the final stage of the secret operation on annihilation of the militants blocked in the house at 54, Tankayev Street, the law enforcement officers exploded the house basement and then the house was "flattened" by a tank.

The participants of the FSB and MIA joint operation claim that, before the attack on the house, the militants were given a proposal to surrender but they refused. Only four women with two children came out, presumably, they were the militants' wives.

Upon the Makhachkala secret operation results, a criminal case has been initiated under three articles of the RF Criminal Code: article 317 (infringement on the life of a law enforcement officer), 222 (storage and transportation of arms and explosives) and 208 (organization of an illegal armed unit and participation therein).