Dagestani city of Kizlyar commemorates victims of attack by Raduyev's gang

Mourning events dedicated to the memory of the victims of the terrorist attack by Salman Raduyev's gang in 1996 are being held in Kizlyar, Dagestan, the press service of the city administration reported.

Flowers were laid yesterday near the building of the city police department, and representatives of the mayor's office, members of the City Assembly, heads of organizations, businesses, public and youth organizations, war veterans, labor veterans, relatives of the victims, the witnesses of those tragic events, members of the city police, volunteers and others gathered in front of the city administration.

The column headed by the Mayor, Alexander Shuvalov, went down Soviet Street and stopped at the memorial in memory of the victims, where a memorial meeting was held, attended by plenipotentiary representative in the North zone, Vyacheslav Palamarchuk, Ataman of Kizlyar's special border districts of the Terek Cossack Army Society, Valentin Ivanov, and a spokesman for the 'White Cranes' fund, Omar Hajiyev. More than 500 people gathered to honor the memory of those who gave their lives for the sake of preserving peace in Dagestan, RIA Dagestan reports.

While opening the memorial meeting, Alexander Shuvalov said that during the past few years the pain of loss has not lessened, the horror has not been erased from the memories of when the gang of thugs broke into the peacefully sleeping city and rioted in it for almost a day. The mayor reminded that this horrible day claimed the lives of 51 people and ruined the lives of hundreds of Kizlyar's residents.

"Today we remember the victims who gave their lives for the defense of our native city, the republic and the country. Here are the figures, backed by many painful memories: the number of hostages in the hospital – 2072, the number of hostages in Pervomaisky – 127, those considered disabled – 11 people, those killed in the terrorist attack – 51 people," the mayor of the city said.

The mayor reminded about another horrific terrorist attack, when Kizlyar, after the terrible tragedy that occurred in January 1996, once again became the target of bandits fifteen years later. "On March 31st 2010, as the result of two suicide bombings, 10 of our compatriots were killed, dozens of people were wounded. We express immense gratitude to the law enforcement officers whose actions helped to avoid monstrous consequences and destruction. Kizlyar's citizens express sincere condolences to the families of those who died in the terrorist attacks. Please honor the memory of the victims with a moment of silence," the mayor of Kizlyar said. At this moment, 51 white balloons were launched into the sky, according to the number of victims, symbolizing their souls.

Shuvalov stressed that today the international community has finally realized that terrorism has an international character, and terrorists today are waging a war against innocent civilians on almost all continents. He finished his speech with the words of the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin: "We are not going to wipe the tears from our hearts and souls. We're just going to remember them! Eternal memory!"

Other speakers also spoke about the events of 20 years ago. Then the participants of the meeting laid flowers at the monument to those who died in January 1996, a monument to the soldiers of Primorye who were killed in Dagestan in 1999 preserving unity and peace in the Caucasus.