Officers fighting militants surrounded in police building (Part 2)
NALCHIK. Oct 13 (Interfax) - "An operation is underway against militants surrounded on the first floor of the Nalchik third district police department," a high-ranking representative of the Kabardino- Balkaria Interior Ministry told Interfax.
"The second and third floors of the building are under police control and more policemen are helping them from the outside," the source said.
Nalchik residents said that the attack started unexpectedly at about 9:20 a.m. on Thursday. The day began as usual, with people on their way to work when armed men wearing black appeared on the city's streets and started shooting. Eyewitnesses said they did not try to take any civilians hostage. An attempt to attack an Arsenal weapons store was made.
Locals said that it is now quiet in Nalchik, and, in most districts, shooting has subsided. People lay dead on the streets, but it is unknown whether they are attackers or civilians. There is no precise information about casualties as yet.
10:21 SEVERAL DOZEN GUERRILLAS KILLED IN NALCHIK - KABARDINO-BALKARIAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICIAL10:19 HOSTAGES HAVE BEEN TAKEN AT NALCHIK POLICE STATION - KOZAL