Local authorities deny reports of shooting in capital of Russia's Dagestan

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) — Local authorities denied reports late on Tuesday of another shooting in the capital of the Russian Republic of Dagestan, days after reported attacks on religious buildings and a police checkpoint.

Dagestan's Interior Ministry said information from local police that a gunman had fired shots in the center of the region's capital Makhachkala turned out to be false, Russian state news agency TASS reported.

The report added that the ministry denied that any violations of public order had taken place in the city.

Earlier, Russian state news agency RIA had reported that gunshots were heard in Makhachkala, citing a local resident.

The report said the shooting was heard near the city's University Square, further indicating that police officers had been dispatched to the scene.

A later report by RIA said the situation was calm in the square, adding that security measures had been beefed up and law enforcement patrolling the streets.