NAC: persons killed near Makhachkala preliminarily identified as members of the local militants' grouping

Gasan Abataev, the leader of the "Caspian" militants' grouping, was preliminarily identified among those killed in a suburban township of Novy Khushet of Makhachkala. He and two others casualties were active members of the "Makhachkala" grouping, the Russian National Antiterrorist Committee (NAC) has reported.

Let us remind you that on November 26, after a shootout of power agents with suspected militants, the above township was put under the counterterrorist operation (CTO) regime. This morning, security officials have announced a completion of the special operation.

The NAC has confirmed the killing of three militants.

"They have been preliminarily identified as active members of the 'Makhachkala' gang: Gasan Abataev, also known as 'Khassan' (born in 1986), the leader of the so-called 'Caspian' bandit unit, earlier convicted for robbery and burglary; Ratmir Agaev, also known as 'Umar' (born in 1990), and Israpil Ibragimov (born in 1992) – also active members of the same gang as having earlier criminal records," the RIA "Novosti" quotes the NAC's statement.

It also indicated that the killed militants had been suspected of extorting money in an organized grouping, organising explosions in stores and attempts on employees of law enforcement and judicial bodies.