MAKHACHKALA, March 20 (Itar-Tass) -- Four law enforcers were wounded in an armed clash with militants in the mountains of Dagestan on Thursday and the anti-terrorist operation has been suspended until dawn.

Regional police spokesman Mak Tolchinky told Tass a radio-gunner was injured in the head, as a helicopter gunship provided fire support. Three policemen were slightly wounded in a shootout.

“The active phase of the operation has been suspended because of darkness, the militants have been surrounded. Measures to neutralize the militants will resume at dawn,” he said.

Tolchinsky said the militants also sustained losses, but the exact number is unknown.

The operation against the militants headed by warlord Magomedali Vagabov near the village of Kakashura, the Karabudakhkent district, has been underway since Wednesday. On Thursday the militants, who reportedly number 15 men, were surrounded in a forest mountain area.

Vagabov and his men are on the federal wanted list for dozens of crimes, including encroachments on the life of law enforcers.

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