Active phase of military operation ended in Russia's Dagestan

An active phase of the operation to liquidate a grouping of terrorists has ended in the Untsukul district of Russia’s North-Caucasian region of Dagestan, according to the regional Interior Minister, Police General Adilgirei Magomedtagirov.

Official results of the operation will be made public Friday.

As night descended on the Caucasian Mountains, all the possible routes of retreat of the militants who might have survived amassed air strikes and artillery shelling were be blocked and troops will continue mopping up the area of the operation after dawn Friday.

Magomedtagirov said no change has occurred in official statistics on manpower losses on the Russian side.

Data released so far indicates that one serviceman was killed in the course of the operation.

In the meantime, a law enforcement source told Itar-Tass soldiers of Spetsnaz special assignment troops found a stronghold of the militants in the form of a dugout near the town of Chyorny Les.

The dugout had enough room for 60 or so people. Also there, the troops found 45 cans filled with aluminum powder and a big mess kit with saltpeter.

Besides, the troops found 40 religious books printed in Lebanon.

Experts believe the terrorists used that “field theological school” for drawing young people into their ranks.

Sources also said the body of an Omon riot police serviceman, who got missing the other day, was found Thursday, too, Itar-Tass reports. V.Y.