A deputy mayor of Kizlyar in Russia's turbulent North Caucasus republic of Dagestan was severely wounded in an attempted assassination Monday morning on his way to office, local media reported.
The Toyota Landcruiser of Vasili Naumochkin was attacked by a Vaz-2109 vehicle at around 08:30 a.m. Moscow time (0430 GMT), the Interfax news agency reported citing a source from the regional interior ministry, Xinhua reported.
The deputy mayor suffered heavy injuries due to the attack, while the assailants who fled the scene were currently being hunted, said the source.
Violence is common in Russia's mainly Muslim North Caucasus republics, especially Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia, with militants frequently targeting police and officials as representing the Russian authorities.
Last Thursday four militants who opened fire at law enforcement officers of the republic were killed.
Moscow has pledged to wage a ruthless fight against militant groups while also claimed to tackle the problem of unemployment, clan rivalry and corruption as these are viewed as the reasons for violence in the region.
Russian regional official wounded in attempted murder
A deputy mayor of Kizlyar in Russia's turbulent North Caucasus republic of Dagestan was severely wounded in an attempted assassination Monday morning on his way to office, local media reported.
