Gunmen kill over 15 policemen, many civilians in Russia's Dagestan region

More than 15 policemen and several civilians, including an Orthodox priest, were killed by armed militants in Russia's southern republic of Dagestan, its governor Sergei Melikov said in a video statement early Monday.

The gunmen opened fire on two Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a police post in two cities Sunday, according to the authorities.

Russia's National Anti-Terrorist Committee described the attacks in the predominantly Muslim region with a history of armed militancy as terrorist acts.

Six bandits were liquidated, the governor said.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were declared days of mourning in the region.

Armed militants attacked two Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a traffic police post in two cities in Russia's southern republic of Dagestan, killing a priest and at least six police officers, Russian authorities reported Sunday.

Russia's National Anti-Terrorist Committee described the attacks in the predominantly Muslim region with a history of armed militancy as