Nineteen dead in attacks on churches and synagogue in southern Russia

Attacks on police posts, churches and a synagogue in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan have left 19 police officers and several civilians dead. Six gunmen were also killed.

At least sixteen people were taken to hospitals with injuries.

Three days of mourning have been declared in Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim republic in southern Russia which neighbours Chechnya.

The apparently coordinated attacks targeted the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala on the Orthodox festival of Pentecost, with an Orthodox priest among those killed.