MOSCOW. July 13 (Interfax) - The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has put a stop to the activities of a cell of the terrorist organization ISIL, banned in Russia, killing its leader and detaining five of its members, the service told Interfax on Monday.
"The Russian FSB has uncovered and curbed the activities of a clandestine cell of the international terrorist organization Islamic State in the Rostov region, which included six residents of the region, citizens of a Central Asian country and Russia. They were preparing attacks on police officials and plotting terrorist actions at medical and educational establishments," the FSB said.
When security forces attempted to detain the group's leader in the Azov district of the Rostov region, he opened fire on members of an FSB special unit using a Kalashnikov assault rifle and set off an improvised explosive device, fatally injuring himself, the FSB said.
"The remaining five members of the group were detained in the course of a subsequent urgent search operation in Rostov-on-Don," it said.
While searching the homes of the detainees and examining the scene of the incident, security operatives discovered and seized a ready-to-use improvised explosive device, automatic firearms and ammunition, as well as narcotic substances, the FSB said.
No civilians or law enforcement officials suffered any injuries, it said.
Investigative agencies have opened criminal cases on counts of terrorist attack, illegal circulation of firearms, and attempt on the life of a law enforcement official, the FSB said.