Dagestan: suicide bomber who blew himself up in central Makhachkala identified

The Minister of Internal Affairs of Dagestan Abdurashid Magomedov has reported today to Rashid Nurgaliev, Minister of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, who arrived in Dagestan today, that the suicide bomber who blew himself up in the centre of Makhachkala had been identified. Among his potential targets experts name the building of the Lenin ROVD (District Interior Division) of Makhachkala, or the medical unit of the MIA (Ministry of Internal Affairs) employees.

According to the updated information, at about 11 a.m. at the intersection of Yaragskiy and Pushkin Streets in Makhachkala, a suspicious young man drew attention of policemen. When they asked him to show his documents, the young man triggered the explosive device, which was attached to his body.

The blast killed the suicide bomber and one policeman. Another law enforcer and several civilians who happened to be in the vicinity were injured and taken to hospital. Considerable damage was caused to the cars parked nearby.

An unexploded grenade was found near the remains of the bomber, which was neutralized by sappers.

There are several versions on where the suicide bomber intended to go. The explosion occurred at the gate of the house, where a former employee of the prosecutor's office lives; and originally it was thought that the attack was directed against him.

Also, the Lenin ROVD of Makhachkala and the medical unit for the MIA personnel are located close to the place of the incident. Most likely, as the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by a law enforcement source, the suicide bomber had intended to blow himself up near one of these objects. This version, according to the source, is confirmed by the arrival in Dagestan of Rashid Nurgaliev, head of the Russian MIA. According to available information, the minister wanted visit the above MIA medical facility, where policemen, injured in battles with militants, are taking their treatment.

As reported by Maternity Home No. 4, which happened to be in the epicentre of the explosion, nobody of the mothers and hospital personnel were hurt.