ISIS has claimed responsibility for an attack on a traffic police post in the Russian capital, Moscow. Russian special services and law-enforcement agencies are currently checking a possible link between attackers and the terrorist’ group.
Photo: AGN Moskva
The Islamic State (IS) terrorist group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a traffic police post in the Moscow’s suburb area of Shchelkovo, Reuters reported on Friday, citing information posted on extremist websites.
Russian special services and law-enforcement agencies are currently checking a possible link between natives of Chechnya, attacked the traffic police post in Balashikha, and the extremist group, the Interfax news agency reported on Friday, citing a source in the security agencies.
“Currently, we are considering various motives of this raid. Instruments of the crime, axes, with which bandits attacked policemen, draw an attention,” the source said.
He also noted that “a version of the possible link between criminals and extremists cannot be discounted.” According to the source, power ministries are currently checking this information. The interlocutor of the news agency added that it remains premature to draw final conclusions, as well as to propose a priority version.
The RIA Novosti news agency also reported about a check of a connection between the attackers and terrorist groups, including the IS. The agency cited its own source in the security agencies.
“This version was being checked initially, even when the circumstances of the attack provoked doubts about its reasonableness. But then the terrorists’ sources have announced its involvement, and now a video, in which two similar men proclaim their connection with the terrorist organization, appeared on the Internet. For this reason, the information will be thoroughly checked,” the source said.
He also noted that the check will be conducted along with an investigation of major versions of the attack, which include an attempt to seize arms and a conflict with the police.
Another source in the security agencies added that a possibility of the attackers’ participation in bandit formations is also checking.
On Wednesday, two men armed with axes attacked the traffic police post in Balashikha and seriously wounded two police officers. The attack was repulsed, the attackers were killed.
Traffic policemen, who neutralized the attackers, will be presented to the awards.