Attack in Ingushetia targets anti-extremism official, 3 dead
In Ingushetia, a car carrying the deputy head of the local center for combating extremism was shot at, resulting in the deaths of three people, including a police officer, according to reports by Russian state media cited by Reuters.
5:53 AM EDT, October 12, 2024
The attack occurred on Friday evening (October 11) in Ingushetia, a republic within the Russian Federation in the North Caucasus. The assailants opened fire on the vehicle carrying the deputy head of the anti-extremism unit. Reports indicate that three individuals, including a police officer, were killed, and the attackers managed to escape.
"The assailants fled the scene and headed towards the neighboring Russian republic of North Ossetia," reported Reuters early Saturday morning. An intensive investigation is ongoing, with authorities actively searching for the suspects.
The Russian center for combating extremism, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, has faced criticism for its harsh measures against opposition members and social activists. In 2019, the assassination of Ibragim Eldzharkiyev, then head of these structures in Ingushetia, gained significant attention after he was shot in Moscow. His predecessor, Timur Khamkhoev, was embroiled in controversy for being accused of using torture and was subsequently arrested.
Ingushetia frequently experiences acts of violence and attacks related to extremist activities. The latest incident has reignited focus on these ongoing tensions and has garnered substantial interest from both local and international media.
