Russian forces kill 4 militants in North Caucasus region

MOSCOW, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Magomed Suleimanov, the leader of the self-proclaimed Caucasus Emirate, was killed Tuesday by a Russian counter-terrorism unit in the North Caucasus region of Dagestan.

Russia's National Antiterrorist Committee (NAK) said Suleimanov was among four terrorists killed by security forces in Untsukul's district of Dagestan, World Bulletin reported. NAK added that Suleimanov associate Kamil Saidov was also killed in the operation.

Suleimanov had been appointed leader of the Caucasus Emirate in April after its previous leader, Aliaskhab Kebekov, was also killed by Russia's security forces.

The counter-terrorist operation started at 5:30 a.m. Monday after terrorists were spotted in the area, law enforcement told Interfax. Strikes and artillery fire were initially launched at the insurgents, and an exchange of gunfire ensued between the two sides, reported Interfax.

On August 3, NAK announced security forces had killed 14 Islamists over two days in counter-terrorism operations, also in the Northern Caucasus region. Adam Tagilov, accused by Russian authorities of organizing a massive terror assault last year in Grozny, the Chechen capital, was among those killed.

Jihadis from the North Caucasus region have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, making their way to fight in Syria and Iraq. IS has has tried to assert more control in Russian-speaking countries, launching a Russian language channel.