Two militants killed in sweep in Dagestan

MAKHACHKALA. Feb 28 (Interfax) - Two militants have been killed in the active phase of a sweep operation, which has ended in the village of Tyube in Dagestan's Kumtorkala district, a source in Dagestan's Interior Ministry, who worked at the scene, told Interfax.

"The Dagestani Interior Ministry was informed on Tuesday evening that a suspicious group had been noticed in a private house in the village of Tyube. The house was encircled at about 5:30 a.m. and the group was ordered to walk out and surrender. Two men, one of them the owner of the house, followed the order. They are being questioned," the source said.

But the two other men stayed in the house refusing to surrender. The house was stormed at 5:45 a.m. with the use of armored vehicles and grenade launchers. The operation lasted for two hours.

"Early reports indicate that both suspected militants were killed. They have been identified, but their names will not be disclosed thus far. Investigators are working at the scene," the source said. sd