Deadly clashes in Russia's Dagestan

At least five soldiers and several anti-government fighters have been killed in clashes in Russia's southern Dagestan region. Clashes between government security forces and armed opposition groups started on Thursday in the Karabudakhkentsky district, about 30km south of the regional capital Makhachkala. "This is the third day of a special operation to rid the area of militants," Takhir Ramazanov, the deputy head of Dagestan's internal ministry, told Russia's state-run Vesti-24 television on Saturday. "It has become clear they have fled to the mountains." The bodies of 10 fighters were reportedly found after security forces pounded their positions using mortars and helicopter gunships. Four others were shot dead as they drove their car through Makhachkala late on Friday.