According to the head of the Russian police, Rashid Nurgaliev, some 200 militants were killed in the Caucasus over the past five moths, Interfax reports. More than 70 police officers and servicemen were killed and some 180 wounded in skirmishes with gunmen. 35 shootouts have occurred so far this year, up 12 compared to the previous year. The skirmishes also resulted in 39 civilian casualties.
Mr Nurgaliev stressed that, despite the neutralization of several militant group leaders, the level of the terrorist threat in the Caucasus is still high. 34 crimes of a terrorist nature were committed this year. However, the joint efforts of Russian Federal police and special services have helped prevent many more potential terrorist attacks in the region.
