Deadly bombs in Daghestan considerably raise the stakes in Moscow's current battle with Islamist insurgents in the North Caucasus.

The president of the North Caucasus Russian republic of Daghestan has returned back to the capital Makhachkala after curtting short a visit to Moscow, in order to deal with the aftermath of two bomb explosions which have killed thirteen people and left more than one hundred injured.

The thirteen dead include seven police officers, two firefighters and two local residents. 83 people were hospitalized, while 26 received medical treatment on site.  

According to preliminary information, a suicide bomber died when he blew up his car up after it was stopped for a security check at a police post on the outskirts of the city.

“The explosive technicians say the first car, a Mitsubishi, had a 30 kg TNT equivalent bomb in it,” said the National Antiterror Committee’s Nikolai Sintsov.

The bomb was so powerful that it was hard to tell what kind of car was involved, he said.

At approximately 10.45 pm local time, or about half an hour after the first blast, the second bomb, contained 50 kg TNT equivalent, went off in a Gazelle light van parked nearby, killing twelve.

The second blast took place when a vehicle with emergency service personnel had arrived at the scene. The blasts claimed the lives of three rescuers and six police officers, but casualty reports are still being verified, according to the republic’s interior ministry.

The explosions considerably raise the stakes in Moscow's current battle with Islamist insurgents in the North Caucasus. Daghestan has been the target of insurgents attacks in the past but the scale and the methods of this attack are bound to create worries amongst law enforcement officers about a possible escaltion of the conflict.


source: commonspace.eu with RIA Novosti

photo: The explosion in Makhachkala on 3 May (picture courtesy of RIA Novosti)


Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Oman to mediate high level Iran – US nuclear talks in Rome

Oman to mediate high level Iran – US nuclear talks in Rome

The United States and Iran are set to resume high-stakes talks on Saturday 19 April on Tehran's nuclear programme, a week after an initial round of discussions that both sides described as "constructive". Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will hold the Oman-mediated talks in Rome. They come one week after the two sides held what Iran called indirect talks in Muscat. Those were the first talks at such a high level between the foes since US President Donald Trump abandoned a landmark nuclear accord in 2018.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Oman to mediate high level Iran – US nuclear talks in Rome

Oman to mediate high level Iran – US nuclear talks in Rome

The United States and Iran are set to resume high-stakes talks on Saturday 19 April on Tehran's nuclear programme, a week after an initial round of discussions that both sides described as "constructive". Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will hold the Oman-mediated talks in Rome. They come one week after the two sides held what Iran called indirect talks in Muscat. Those were the first talks at such a high level between the foes since US President Donald Trump abandoned a landmark nuclear accord in 2018.