MOSCOW. Dec 13 (Interfax) - A criminal investigation has been opened following an attack on officers of the Russian National Guard in Ingushetia on Wednesday, the regional branch of the Russian Investigative Committee said.
"The investigative department for the city of Nazran has opened a criminal case under Article 317 of the Russian Penal Code (an attempt on the life of officers of law enforcement agencies)," the Investigative Committee's regional branch said on its website on Thursday.
According to investigators, at around 6:30 p.m. on December 12, two persons in possession of firearms and an RGD grenade put up armed resistance to law enforcers who were carrying out a search operation at the Kovcheg shopping center in Nazran.
"Law enforcers and the above-mentioned persons sustained fragmentation wounds when the grenade exploded. The attackers died at the scene. The officers were admitted to a hospital," it said.
A flare pistol converted into a 9mm gun, metal fragments and also cartridge cases were confiscated from the scene of the incident, it said.
"The preliminary information available indicates that the suspects are residents of the republic aged 24 and 31 years old," it said.
Initial investigative measures have been taken as part of this case, during which the site has been examined, witnesses have been interviewed and necessary examinations have been ordered, the Investigative Committee said.