PYATIGORSK, Russia, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Police killed the leader of an "armed gang" of militants in the southern republic of Dagestan Sunday, Russian authorities said.
Amir Magomed Sheikhov was among eight gunmen killed in the shootout in Makhachkala, the national anti-terrorism committee told RIA Novosti.
Sheikhov "was appointed to post by the armed gang three months ago," a spokesman said.
Police cornered the group in the Dagestan capital and imposed a state of emergency. The gunmen barricaded themselves in a house, and the residents were evacuated.
The gunmen are suspected of killing of a policeman in Makhachkala Thursday. They fired on a police patrol when they were stopped. UPI
