On March 2nd, 2024, FSB special forces executed an operation in the city of Karabulak in Ingushetia to arrest/destroy a group of six people indicted of being connected with a terrorist organisation. According to the Russian National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAK), when FSB special forces endeavoured to arrest these people, they opened fire at law enforcement officers. At night, during a shootout, a fire was initiated in the house, and the suspects tried to drive to another floor. Law enforcement officers counteracted all six suspects during the counter-terrorism operation on March 3rd, 2024.
According to Russian official sources, the suspects were supporters of the Islamic State and were involved in executing several terrorist crimes, including an attack on a traffic police post and the killing of three police officers in March 2023. Three of them, including the mob leader, were on the federal wanted list. There were no deaths among law enforcement officers or civilians. During the examination of the clash site, the authorities found automatic weapons, ammunition, grenades, and an improvised explosive device.
FSB special forces’ counter-terrorism procedure in Ingushetia stressed Russia’s readiness and approach to counter the terrorist threat and jihadist propaganda’s influence in those regions. Comparing the current concern with the past, Moscow has advanced North Caucasus’ regional security through counter-terrorism operations and a socioeconomic development process which simultaneously determined jihadist propaganda and activities and created new working opportunities for the local population. While the current crisis in the North Caucasus is under Russian control and the regional risk has diminished compared to previous years, there is still a constant terrorist threat posed by both local citizens and foreign migrants.
Recent FSB special forces’ counter-terrorism procedures highlight Russia’s ongoing dedication to addressing the terrorist threat in the North Caucasus region. The victorious neutralisation of the suspects underscores Moscow’s determination to oppose jihadist propaganda and activities. Despite the current situation being under control, the continued threat from both local citizens and foreign immigrants necessitates sustained vigilance and aggressive counter-terrorism measures in the region.
Indeed, the Islamic State’s propaganda is still a threat to Russia and can influence young generations in the community. In 2023, Ingushetia encountered violent and terrorist activities, earning it one of the Northern Caucasian republics most impacted by such incidents. A series of raids on law enforcement and security officials, including the attack on a traffic police post and the following murders of police officers, underscored the gravity of the situation.
In 2023, even though the number of targets because of violent and terrorist attacks was low, Ingushetia seemed to be one of the Northern Caucasian republics mostly influenced by this phenomenon. In November 2023 Security forces, during operational search actions as part of the counter-terrorism operation in Sunzha, killed a man who opened fire on them. The shootout happened in a house on Pavlova Street. During operational search actions as part of the counter-terrorism procedure in Sunzha, security forces killed a guy who opened fire on them. Authorities suspected the victim of helping Amirkhan Gurazhev and Adam Ozdoev, who were wanted after the incursion on a traffic police post on the edge of Ingushetia and North Ossetia.
Not only the Islamic State but also Imarat Kavkaz (Caucasus Emirate) might jeopardise the Republic of Ingushetia. In November 2023, Russian FSB workers arrested 23-year-old Salaudin Azhigov, indicted of distributing information on VKontakte justifying the movements of the Caucasus Emirate. Despite a pronounced enhancement in the security situation over the past decade, as indicated by the minimal occurrence of violent episodes in 2023, the allure of jihadist propaganda related to the Islamic State and the Caucasus Emirate highlights its capacity to attract support from certain segments of the North Caucasian populace.
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