Law enforcement corners militants in South Caucasus

Five militants have been killed after two standoffs with security forces in Russia's southern republic of Dagestan.

Two women are reported to be among the dead from the shootout in the capital, Makhachkala.

An apartment was set ablaze during the fighting, but the fire was contained and didn’t spread.

This week saw several other counter-terror operations in the region, with 15 militants killed on Wednesday.

Officials have stressed the need for vigilance.

“Currently the four militants, including two woman, are being identified. The apartment is now being searched with the help of bomb-disposal experts,” said Nikolay Sintsov from the Anti-Terrorist Committee.

“After their approval, investigators will start working at the site,” he added. “Another counter-terror operation in the city was finished earlier. One militant was killed in a shootout there.”