Russian authorities say six alleged militants have been killed in raids the North Caucasus, a mostly Muslim region with a persistent Islamist insurgency.
Russia's Anti-Terrorism Committee said Tuesday that security forces killed five suspected militants during a raid in Dagestan, including Timur Mirzekhanov, a militant wanted for a series of killings in 2012.
Authorities say a sixth militant was killed in a raid in the nearby Ingushetia region.
In January, Russian President Vladimir Putin removed Mogomedsalam Magomedov as head of Dagestan province. The Kremlin named ruling party lawmaker Ramazan Abdulatipov as acting leader. No reason was given for the move.
In recent years, Dagestan has become a hub of regional Islamist insurgency with almost daily shootings and bombings against Russian authorities.