ASTANA – Four more suspects in the June 5 Aktobe attacks were killed June 10 in a firefight with anti-terrorism forces in Aktobe after security forces surrounded an apartment where the suspects had barricaded themselves, according to Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee (KNB).
Security forces surrounded the apartment in a house on Nekrasov Street, cordoned off the area and evacuated nearby residents. Police negotiated with the suspects, seeking their surrender. The suspects refused to surrender, according to the KNB, and opened fire on security forces. The special forces then stormed the apartment, killing four suspects. No civilians or security forces were injured.
A fifth suspect was shot and killed by police after he opened fire on a police car, injuring two officers.
Eighteen suspects have been killed and nine arrested since the June 5 attacks. Security forces are searching for two more suspects.
The June 5 attacks on a National Guard station and two weapons shops in the western Kazakh city killed three Kazakh soldiers and four civilians. Authorities have said they believe the attacks were motivated by religious extremism.
The Aktobe regional anti-terrorist control centre continues to monitor the situation and is working to identify other potential suspects.
