MAKHACHKALA, March 20 (Itar-Tass) -- Four servicemen of the Russian Interior Troops were killed and another three were injured during a two-day special operation in the Karabudakhkent district of Dagestan, Dagestani Deputy Interior Minister Magomed Ismailov told reporters on Friday. According to him, “Gunmen also lost from five to seven people.”

The deputy interior minister also noted that the battle is going on in the vicinity of Kakashur, where Magomedali Ismailov-led gang had been blocked since Thursday. About eight gunmen, who divided in several little groups, put up armed resistance. They are hiding under the rocks and in the caves. Mortars and army helicopters deliver air strikes in the area, where the gunmen had entrenched.

The gunmen opened fire at an Interior Troops helicopter, which was on a reconnaissance party, at about 16.00 Moscow time on Thursday evening. A radio operator received a severe head injury in the shootout and died later in the hospital. On the same day another three servicemen of the Interior Troops were injured. The special operation resumed at the dawn on Friday.

The special operation is on since Wednesday in order to find and destroy the gang with Magomedali Vagabov as the warlord. On Thursday, the Dagestani police and servicemen of the Interior Troops have blocked the gunmen in the woody highlands.

A fierce battle with the use of all types of firearms, grenade launchers and flamethrowers sparked up at about 14.00 Moscow time on Thursday and was actually going on with short breaks until the sunset. The bandits were attempting repeatedly to break through the encirclement, but they failed to do it. Reinforced groups of commandoes have surrounded the area, where the gunmen had entrenched.

Magomedali Vagabov and members of his gang were put on the federal and international wanted lists for dozen crimes, including murders of law enforcers.

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