Russian security forces have killed 49 insurgents in an operation across the North Caucasus region, where rebels are fighting to carve out an Islamic state, Russia’s top anti-terrorism body has said.
The agency, which serves as a mouthpiece for law enforcement agencies operating in the region, gave no time period for the operation, which was launched days after Russian president Vladimir Putin led a meeting of the country’s security council.
Mr Putin has pushed the North Caucasus insurgency back to the forefront of national politics, telling security forces to ensure that militants do not launch attacks on the 2014 Winter Olympics and other high-profile events. – (Reuters)