On Monday June 24, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon  offered condolences to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over terrorist attacks committed in Dagestan’s cities of Derbent and Makhachkala on June 23, according to the Tajik president’s official website. 

"Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,

“We in Tajikistan received with a feeling of deep sadness the tragic news of the brutal terrorist attack in the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent, which resulted in the death and injury of law enforcement officers and civilians of the Russian Federation,” reads the message.

Emomali Rahmon further noted in his message of condolences that “Tajikistan, which has been fighting against all forms of terrorism for more than 30 years, strongly condemns this inhuman act of violence in Dagestan and advocates active cooperation in the fight against terrorism, both bilaterally and within the framework of international and regional structures, of which Tajikistan and the Russian Federation are members.”

“In this sorrowful moment, I express our deep condolences and sincere words of support to you, to the families and friends of the victims, and to all the people of friendly Russia.  I wish all the victims a speedy recovery," the message says.

Recall, Russian media reports said Sunday evening that at 17 seventeen people, including 15 police officers, have been killed by armed militants in Russia’s Dagestan Republic.  On June 23, a group of armed men reportedly shot at a synagogue and a church in the city of Derbent.  Both the church and the synagogue caught fire.  Almost simultaneously, reports appeared about an attack on a church and a traffic police post in the Dagestan’s capital, Makhachkala.