Russia's FSB prevents terrorist attacks in Moscow

In Orekhovo-Zuevo, the Moscow region, special services blocked three terrorists, who planned to conduct a terrorist attack in Moscow. Two militants were killed, one was detained. The National Anti-Terrorist Committee said that all three of them were citizens of the Russian Federation. The successful operation of the FSB helped to prevent a tragedy like the one that occurred in the Moscow subway three years ago. 

Orekhovo-Zuevo, a town in Moscow suburbs, turned into a battlefield for several hours on May 20th. In one of the houses, the FSB blocked several individuals who were suspected of preparing a terrorist attack. Local residents at first did not understand what was happening. Eyewitnesses saw two men, all covered in blood, near building No. 7 on Baryshnikov Street. Passers-by called the police, reporting bullying and fighting. However, all of that was a part of the special operation that was taking place in the area. 

The FSB offered the criminals to surrender, but they opened fire in return. As a result, two gunmen were killed, one was taken captive alive. 

"Employees of the Russian Federal Security Bureau were sent to Orekhovo-Zuevo to check the information that said that several people had arrived in Moscow for the preparation and organization of terrorist acts in the Russian capital," Alexey Privalov, a spokesman for the National Anti-Terrorist Committee told Pravda.Ru.

"It was established that three gunmen were staying in one of the houses of the town. The criminals were blocked, but they opened fire in response to the offer to surrender. As a result of a short combat action, two criminals were killed and one was detained. One member of the special forces unit was slightly injured. No one suffered among civilians," Privalov said.

According to intelligence agencies, the three terrorists came from the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. The fighters had received combat training there and obtained knowledge on the organization of terrorist acts.

The location and character of the failed terrorist attack was not disclosed due to the secrecy of the investigation.

"A team of investigators is now working to find out all circumstances of the case. As soon as we can provide additional information about the investigation - we will certainly do that. For the time being, it is impossible to disclose any further details in the interest of the investigation," Mr. Privalov said.

The FSB did not reveal sources and details of how the agency managed to detect the terrorists. 

However, the agency had received information about suicide bombers prior to the terrorist attacks in Moscow in 2010, although Russian special services failed to prevent the tragedy. For example, first reports about terrorists preparing a series of explosions were unveiled in Volgograd. The regional department of the Interior Ministry ordered the authorities to stay vigilant. It was said that a group of militants had moved to Russia from the North Caucasus to commit terrorist acts. The head of the Internal Affairs Department in Volgograd, Andrei Sitsky, confirmed that there was indeed a threat of terrorist attacks that could occur in any city.

Explosions at Lubyanka and Park Kultury stations of the Moscow subway took place exactly one week after that message. The attack killed 36 people. Four more people died at hospitals during the next several days.

Reports of new explosions continued to appear during that tragic day. It was particularly said that suicide bombers blew up their explosive devices at Prospect Mira, Ulitsa Podbelskogo and Begovaya stations, but the information proved to be fake. 

Two suicide bombers, who exploded their bombs in the Moscow subway, were identified as Janet Abdurahmanova and Mariam Shiripova. The women had accomplices, who accompanied them right to the lobby of the stations.

Anton Frolov

Pravda.Ru

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Author`s name Dmitry Sudakov
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