Shootout In Russia's Dagestan Region, Three Officers Killed by Terrorists

Three police officers were killed and at least four people injured when gunmen opened fire during a routine traffic stop in the Russian republic of Dagestan on Monday, authorities confirmed.

The attack unfolded in the regional capital, Makhachkala, around 2 p.m. local time (11:20 a.m. GMT), sparking chaos in the city center.

Sergei Melikov, Dagestan’s regional leader, stated the terrorist attack began when officers attempted to pull over a vehicle driven by suspected assailants. “The shooting started during a traffic inspection,” Melikov said, according to the Russian Interior Ministry.

Eyewitness videos verified by Reuters showed officers exchanging gunfire with attackers on a crowded street, while bystanders fled for safety.

Two gunmen were killed at the scene, identified by a city administration spokesperson on Telegram as individuals born in 2000.

However, authorities have not confirmed the total number of shooters, noting that others escaped in a stolen car. “An interception plan has been introduced and measures are being taken to locate and detain the attackers,” police said in a statement.

Casualties and Chaos
The Interior Ministry reported three police fatalities and six injured, including two officers, two civilians—a 17-year-old girl among them—and two attackers. State media later clarified that at least one additional victim, possibly a second gunman, died later in the hospital.

Video footage from Telegram channels showed multiple bodies lying near a police vehicle, with distant gunshots echoing as onlookers gathered.

Dagestan’s Health Ministry confirmed six people were wounded, though conflicting early reports highlighted the confusion during the aftermath. “One police officer survived and was hospitalized, though his condition remains unclear,” military broadcaster Zvezda reported.

Investigation and Security Crackdown
Russian authorities opened a criminal case into the attack, citing charges of attempted murder of law enforcement, illegal weapon use, and vehicle theft. Security forces launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects, sealing off parts of the city.

A History of Violence in Dagestan
The attack marks the latest in a series of deadly incidents in the predominantly Muslim region, which has faced persistent security challenges. In March, counter-terrorism units killed four Islamic State (ISIS)-linked militants planning an assault on a regional interior ministry office.

Dagestan’s volatile North Caucasus region has long grappled with sporadic violence linked to extremism, though major attacks have decreased in recent years. Monday’s incident, however, underscores lingering tensions.

As investigations continue, residents expressed shock. “This is not normal,” said a local shopkeeper, requesting anonymity. “We’re used to tension, but not this.”

Authorities have vowed to track those responsible, but the attack reignites questions about security in a region still haunted by past insurgencies.