MAKHACHKALA. June 24 (Interfax) - People from the Sergokaly district of Dagestan were involved in the terrorist attacks in Makhachkala and Derbent, Sergei Melikov, the head of Dagestan, told reporters.
"We held a meeting of the operational headquarters just now, where it was decided that the main phase of the [counterterrorist operation] regime that was introduced in Makhachkala and Derbent is over, [and] operational and investigative measures are now taking place based on the materials that are now necessary for taking subsequent decisions. You know that criminal cases have been opened based on yesterday's events [...] Those who carried out the terrorist attacks turned out to be from the Sergokaly district," Melikov said.
According to earlier reports, armed militants attacked a synagogue and a church in Derbent and a church and a traffic police post in Makhachkala on Sunday.
According to the republic's Health Ministry, 20 people were killed and 26 were wounded. Seven of the wounded are in serious condition.
According to the republic's Interior Ministry, 16 people, including 13 wounded policemen and three civilians, were hospitalized in Makhachkala.
Five militants have been eliminated, and they have been identified.
Criminal cases were opened on counts of committing a terror attack and the illegal procurement, possession, transportation and theft of firearms.
June 24-26 have been declared days of mourning in Dagestan.