At least eight people have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a synagogue, an Orthodox church and a police post in Russia’s region of Dagerstan on Sunday.
Six police officers, a member of the national guard and a priest are among the dead, while some reports say a seventh police officer has also been killed. An additional 12 people have been injured.
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Following reports, as well as witness photographs and videos posted to social media, show the synagogue and church were set then set on fire.
Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee said in a statement the officers and police were killed in “terrorist attacks” – with the attacks occuring in a highly Muslim-populated area.
The Dagestan Interior Ministry, quoted in Russian media outlets, has also said four of the attackers were brought down by police.
At this stage, no group has taken responsibility for the attacks.
“This evening in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala armed attacks were carried out on two Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a police checkpoint,” the National Antiterrorism Committee said.
“As a result of the terrorist attacks, according to preliminary information, a priest from the Russian Orthodox Church and police officers were killed.”
The country’s Investigative Committee said it had opened a criminal probes over “acts of terror” in Dagestan.