Russia’s counterterrorism agency says its forces in North Caucasus have killed eight militants who had sworn allegiance to the Islamic State group.
The Anti-Terrorist Committee said on Sunday that the militants killed in combat in the province of Ingushetia west of Chechnya were involved in a series of attacks on police. It added that they had recently swore an oath of allegiance to IS.
The agency said those killed included the group’s leader, Adam Tagilov, who was accused of staging December’s attack in Chechnya’s provincial capital, Grozny, which left 25 people dead. The raid dented the carefully nurtured image of stability under Chechnya’s strongman.
Russian officials said more than 1,000 Russian nationals have joined the Islamic State group and voiced fears they could pose a major threat when they return.
