4 militants killed in anti-terror operation in south Russia

Four militants and three security officers were killed in a recent anti-terror operation in Russia's southern republic of Dagestan, authorities said Wednesday. The National Anti-terror Committee (NAC) said a special police unit stormed a private house occupied by militants in the town of Karlanyurt, and seized some handmade bombs and antipersonnel mines. Besides the fatalities, five security officers were wounded in the operation. Among the militants killed was Marat Idrisov, a local gang leader who was suspected of car-bombing a police station in the town of Pyatigorsk in North Caucasus on Dec. 27, 2013, according to the NAC. Three people were killed and three others injured in that attack. Russian authorities increased security measures following the twin terror attacks in the southern city of Volgograd in late December, which had killed at least 34 people and injured scores of others. President Vladimir Putin, in his New Year speech, said Russia would continue the fight against terrorists "certainly, fiercely and consistently until they are all destroyed." Violence is common in Southern Russia, especially in North Caucasus, with militants attacking government establishments and civilians regularly.