Russian security forces detain three in counterterrorism raidAugust 17, 2016 - 17:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Gunshots and explosions were heard as Russian security forces stormed an apartment in St. Petersburg Wednesday, August 17 as part of what police said was a counterterrorism raid, ABC News reports. The Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported that counterterror police detained three men during the raid, quoting a spokesman from the FSB security service. The spokesman said those detained were suspected of belonging to terrorist groups based in the North Caucasus region, an area suffering from a long-running jihadist insurgency. Beginning mid-morning, posts on social media and reports in local news outlets showed heavily armed police in helmets and body armor surrounding the apartment block on Leninskii Prospekt in St. Petersburg’s suburbs. Witnesses told the Interfax news agency they had heard what sounded like shots, as well as loud booms that made the walls of the building vibrate. Armed police cordoned off the building, with ambulances standing nearby; residents in surrounding buildings told Interfax and other local outlets police were not allowing them outside though they had not been evacuated. Russia is on high alert for terror attacks. After the country’s military intervention in Syria, the Islamic State promised to retaliate with attacks on Russian soil, ABC says. In recent weeks, Russian security services have been conducting anti-terror operations at increased tempo in the North Caucasus, where Moscow has been battling jihadist militant groups for well over a decade. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |