An anti-terrorist operation in Grozny, the capital of Russia's Republic of Chechnya, has entered the last phase. The head of the republic says up to seven law enforcement officers have been killed and seven militants have been eliminated, reports GHN based on RT.
"The operation to destroy the bandits is entering its final phase," Ramzan Kadyrov wrote on his Instagram page, claiming he is personally supervising the operation. At about 8am Kadyrov informed that the operation will end "in 20 minutes."
At the same time another group of militants has been reportedly blocked in a school, and the operation is underway to resolve the situation.
Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee confirmed surrounding a group of militant group in the Press House in Grozny and invoking a counter-terrorist operation to neutralize the assailants.
The Committee announced that after midnight a group of armed men in three cars carried out an attack on a police post. After that the assailants hid inside the Press House building in the center of Grozny.
"Currently FSB, Interior Ministry, Emergencies Ministry forces completely blocked off the building of the Press House," National Anti-Terrorism Committee said in a press release, RIA Novosti reports.
Initial reports indicated that at least three policemen have been killed when militants opened fire at a police road post. However a source in law enforcement told RIA Novosti that five policemen have died while a number have been wounded.
Grozny police announced that they are dealing with five-six armed men. Kadyrov also confirmed viaInstagram that policemen were killed when they attempted to stop the cars carrying up to six gunmen.
"We received field information about a car with suspicious armed men. Their orientation was sent to all law enforcement agencies," Kadyrov wrote.