In a series of coordinated attacks, gunmen targeted a synagogue, an Orthodox church, and a police post in the Russian republic of Dagestan, resulting in the death of at least six police officers and several others wounded, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Dagestan.

The attacks occurred in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala on Sunday evening, with the synagogue and the church both situated in Derbent, a city known for its ancient Jewish community in the predominantly Muslim North Caucasus region. Meanwhile, the police post was attacked in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, located approximately 125 km (78 miles) away.

Eyewitnesses reported that the synagogue in Derbent was set on fire as a result of the attack, while smoke was seen rising from the church. Local officials confirmed these accounts to Reuters. Russian news agencies quoting the interior ministry revealed that two of the attackers were shot dead. The remaining attackers in Derbent were observed fleeing in a car.

Sergei Melikov, the Head of the Republic of Dagestan, acknowledged the attempts to destabilize the public situation and expressed his condolences to the affected police officers. He assured the public that all necessary measures were being taken to address the situation, and investigations were underway to establish the identities of the attackers.

Daniel Hawkins, reporting from Moscow for Al Jazeera, informed that there were unconfirmed reports of a priest being killed in the church attack. Hawkins added that Dagestan had experienced separatist violence in the past, but the intensity of conflict in the region had decreased over the years compared to neighboring Chechnya.

The targeted attacks on civilian religious institutions have shocked Russians across the country, as such coordinated violence is considered highly unusual. Dagestan, with its diverse ethnic and religious landscape, has strived to maintain peace and stability in recent times, making these attacks all the more alarming.

As the investigation continues, authorities will focus on unraveling the motivations and identities of the attackers, while efforts will be made to restore calm and ensure the safety of the communities affected by these devastating incidents.