Alleged terror in Ingushetia
Hours of fighting in southern Russia
March 3, 2024, 1:11 p.m
There is a huge bang at night in the autonomous Russian province of Ingushetia. Shots are fired when an anti-terror squad is deployed. Then an hours-long battle broke out between special forces and “criminals,” as Russian sources claim.
According to an agency report, there are fighting between security forces and militants in the Russian autonomous republic of Ingushetia. The Russian agency Interfax reported that the clashes lasted throughout the night. The authorities have therefore implemented emergency measures to combat terrorism in the North Caucasus region. They would now have more powers to restrict freedom of movement and communication. The nearby population was evacuated to ensure safety.
On Saturday, fire was opened on Russian law enforcement officers during a search in a residential building in the city of Karabulak, Interfax reported, citing the National Counterterrorism Committee. Arriving police officers started a firefight “with the criminals.” The Russian state agency RIA reported that there had been “active measures” to “neutralize” the militants since Sunday morning.
Ingushetia is the smallest region of Russia and lies between North Ossetia and Chechnya. About half a million people live there. Until 2017, Russian security forces fought an armed insurgency by Islamist militants there. The Ingush people are closely related to the Chechens and have a strong Islamic influence.