Unknown gunmen opened fire at a synagogue and an Orthodox church in Dagestan, Russia on Sunday evening, resulting in the tragic deaths of two police officers, according to Russian officials. The attack, believed to have been carried out by ISIS, left six people wounded and caused panic and chaos in the region.

The attackers struck at approximately 6 PM local time, firing automatic weapons at the religious sites. One police officer was killed at the synagogue, while the other officer and six further individuals were shot at a nearby traffic police post. The identities of the gunmen have now been established, and Russian news agencies have reported that two of the attackers have been shot dead.

Details surrounding the incident are still emerging, but it has been confirmed that the gunmen fled the scene in a white Volkswagen Polo with license plate 921. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but Jewish community reports suggest it was an attempt to destabilize Russian society.

Tragically, a fire later broke out at the synagogue, intensifying the already tense situation. Emergency services responded swiftly to attend to the fire at the religious site. The exact extent of the damage caused by the fire is not yet known.

Israel's foreign ministry has confirmed that the attackers fired upon two synagogue guards inside their police car before entering the synagogue hall. Fortunately, no worshippers were present at the time of the shooting.

Authorities have established an operational headquarters to address the situation and ensure the safety of local residents. Dagestan official Sergei Melikov described the shooting as an attempt to destabilize Russian society and vowed to make all necessary decisions to protect the community.

Dagestan has previously experienced incidents targeting the Jewish community, including an attempted pogrom in 2023. The region has also been on high alert due to increased attempted attacks by ISIS in Russia. In April, Russian security forces thwarted an attack on a synagogue in Moscow, and the capital was also struck by a deadly concert shooting conducted by ISIS, which claimed the lives of over 100 people.

Investigations into the recent attack in Dagestan are ongoing, with authorities working to apprehend the remaining gunmen and determine the motive behind the attack. As more information becomes available, the full extent of this tragic incident will come to light.

Note: This news article is based on the provided information. Additional details may emerge as the story develops.