22:52, 2 January 2007

Special operation of power agencies is on in Dagestan capital

Today, militiamen have surrounded one of multi-storey houses in the centre of Makhachkala, capital of Dagestan, and started to check all its residents.

All the access roads to the five-storey apartment block were cut by armoured transport vehicles ("BTRs") of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). Automobiles with Special Militia ("OMON") and Special Troops ("Spetsnaz") fighters are arriving to the venue. The dwelling block is searched by militiamen who check the documents of all the persons inside. One of the inhabitants has told the correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot" that militiamen are studying the flat owners who lodge their flats. All of the people were offered to get outdoors with their necessary things and documents. Electricity and gas supplies to the building have been cut off."

A special operation to storm and seize the house in the nearest future is not excluded, since, supposedly, militants may hide there.

Author: Timur Isayev, CK correspondent