Six Islamists were killed in an anti-terrorism operation of Russian special forces in the troubled Republic of Dagestan, the Interfax news agency reported Thursday.
Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said the three special operations helped to prevent fresh suicide attacks in the region, dpa reported.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia's federal North Caucasus region - which includes the republics of Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan, North Ossetia and Kabardino-Balkaria - has witnessed struggles for independence, conflicts and terrorist attacks.