A special police operation against militants is underway in the southern Russian republic of Dagestan. An Interior Ministry spokesperson said police are acting on intelligence. Several locations are being checked by police units.
Special forces are reported to surround a group of gunmen in a residential building in Makhachkala. Reports say around 200 policemen take part in the operation.Traffic in the area has been suspended and all residents of the 10-storey building have been evacuated.The aim of the operation is to verify intelligence received and detain possible criminals or militants.