Two major terrorist acts prevented in Dagestan

"The National Anti-Terrorist Committee particularly emphasizes that two major terrorist acts that gunmen planned to commit shortly have been prevented as a result of anti-terrorist operations," the committee's report said.

A self-made explosive device hidden by gunmen in a house exploded during the search of premises with the use of special hardware. The blast was equivalent to up to ten kilograms TNT. The wall of a three-story building collapsed as a result of the blast.

Besides, a vehicle with an explosive device equivalent to three kilograms TNT inside was found in the courtyard of the house. During the operation one of the gunmen tried to blast it, but was killed by crack police, the sources stressed.

They noted that security force and police units were carrying two anti-terrorist operations during which the activity of 15 gunmen was curbed. There was a woman among the killed gunmen, the sources added.

They also said that in order to minimize losses, close relatives of gunmen had been involved in talks in order to persuade them to surrender. However, in reply gunmen opened intensive fire at the sites where negotiators took positions.

Gunmen resistance has been crashed. "Measures are taken to find the remaining members of gunmen groups," sources from the anti-terrorist committee said. Crack police units continue searching houses.

"There have been no losses among police and security forces as of yet," the sources informed. "The area where the operation takes place is cordoned off," they added. Two anti-terrorist operations were launched in Dagestan at 06:30, Moscow time, on Wednesday.