According to Interfax, militants who attacked a synagogue and an Orthodox church in Derbent have barricaded themselves inside a building. Security officers have cordoned off the area and begun an assault.
The Dagestan Ministry of Internal Affairs reports that seven police officers and two civilians, including a priest, were killed in the attack, with 25 others injured. Two terrorists were killed, and two more were detained.
Earlier reports suggested terrorists might be holding about 40 hostages in Makhachkala. However, the Mash Telegram channel later reported that people had locked themselves away from the militants in a temple and were rescued by security officers.
The channel also reported that the deceased terrorists were the sons of Magomed Omarov, head of the Sergokalinsky district of Dagestan. Omarov has been detained, and searches are being conducted in his house and mosque.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry has stated there is currently no information about Jewish or Israeli casualties.
