UPDATE - 2 police officers killed in attack in Russia’s Dagestan region

UPDATES WITH DEATH TOLL, ADDS DETAILS

By Asiye Latife Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - Unidentified persons attacked a traffic police unit in the city of Makhachkala in Russia’s Dagestan region on Monday, killing two police officers and seriously injuring two others.

According to the region’s Interior Ministry, the attackers were neutralized and authorities have launched an “interception plan.”

“Measures are being taken to find and detain the attackers,” the ministry said.

A statement by the region's Health Ministry said that the shootout, which took place in the region’s administrative center, left seven people injured.

Among them are two civilians, including a 17-year-old girl, as well as the two wounded assailants, whom it said were later hospitalized.

Doctors say the civilians are in moderate condition, it went on to say.

Victims are being treated in major hospitals in Makhachkala under the supervision of Dagestan's Health Minister Yaroslav Glazov, it added.

Authorities have not yet identified a motive for the attack. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances and whether others were involved.