Fourteen perished in special operation in Georgia

In the course of a special operation conducted near the Dagestani section of the Georgian-Russian border by the forces and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia, three special agents of the MIA were killed, and five more were wounded. Furthermore, 11 suspected militants were liquidated.

The Georgian MIA has reported about detection of an armed grouping in the territory of Georgia, which came from Dagestan. Power agents managed to block the gorge in the area, where the alleged militants were found. During the special operation, on August 28 five young people were released, and at night on August 29 – another group of hostages. Today, the MIA has announced the release of the third group of civilians.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has learnt from a source from the Georgian MIA that the hostage-takers were offered to surrender, but they refused; and then a special operation was launched. "The hostages are now free," said the source.

The official website of the Georgian MIA has also posted a video of the evidences of the freed hostages, who told about the details of their kidnapping. They claim that they had been captured by armed men who threatened to kill them in case of resistance or escape, the "News-Georgia" reports.

According to unofficial data, a grouping of about 20 well-armed militants had entered the Georgian territory from Dagestan. In recent days, the militants captured three groups of local residents, about 10 people in total. Yesterday, we managed to free the largest group of 5 persons; then, another group was released; and until the latest moment militants kept only a few hostages, the TV Company "Imedi" reports.

Currently, the village of Lapankuri, near which the special operation is conducted, is peace and calm; there is no panic among the population, the "Georgia Online" reports.