Analysts have assessed the nature of the attack on security forces near Derbent.

The lack of video footage of the attack on security forces at the Dzhemikentsky checkpoint raises questions, but the nature of the incident can hardly be regarded as an increase in the activity of the gang underground, analysts noted. The attack could have been caused by a personal conflict or unfair, in the attacker's view, demands of the security forces, they believe.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot", on the evening of November 30, an unknown man swung a knife at a security officer at the "Dzhemikentsky" checkpoint near Derbent. A police officer opened fire, killing the attacker. This attack was the second in the republic in seven months. The man killed in an attack on police officers at the Dzhemikentsky checkpoint near Derbent was withdrawn and unsociable, worked in the north and came home for a couple of months a year, said Rafat Akhmedov, head of the village of Tatlyar.

Retired Interior Ministry Colonel , PhD in Law Amir Kolov does not rule out the possibility that the attacker harbored a grudge against a specific security officer.

"Attacks on traffic police officers or checkpoints can happen anywhere, as these duty stations themselves have high victimization rates for police officers for many reasons. "Firstly, this is Dagestan, where many young people are susceptible to the morality of displaying false heroism when interacting with the police, who have had a persistent image of being anti-national since the late 1990s. Secondly, this could be related to human rights violations by police officers who have established unofficial rules for citizens' passage, circumventing current legislation. Thirdly, this could also be a simple case of interpersonal conflict between a citizen and a police officer," he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

He rules out the possibility of an act of terrorism.

"In my opinion, there could be many other possibilities here, but certainly not an act of terrorism or the activity of an armed underground." "There is no political or ideological basis for the creation of an underground gang in Dagestan today," he noted.

The knife attack on a man wearing a bulletproof vest, and the blows aimed specifically at the protected parts of the body, rather than the arms or head, also raises doubts that this crime was somehow planned.

Due to the lack of information, it is impossible to say whether this was a real attack on a security officer or simply a fabricated case, notes the Dagestani journalist.

"I can't confirm either one. Unfortunately, law enforcement agencies have not published the footage from the dashcams that traffic police officers wear, especially those on duty at checkpoints. Every attack has its own motive: if the attack was intended to overthrow the government, then it's a terrorist. But if the attack was motivated by, say, personal animosity toward a specific individual, regardless of whether they were a police officer or not, then it remains simply an assault. Unfortunately, there is no published information about how the attack occurred or what its motives were. "And the knife attack on a man wearing a bulletproof vest, and the blows aimed specifically at protected parts of the body, rather than the arms or head, also raises doubts that this crime was somehow planned," he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent on condition of anonymity.

In this context, the armed underground factor in Dagestan is also not worth discussing, he is certain.

"It is impossible to talk about a stable armed underground in Dagestan, since, objectively, it has either been eliminated as a phenomenon or is in a state of deep dormancy and freezing. Rare manifestations, such as the action last year and this May, are exceptions rather than the established rule. As for preventive work, it cannot be said that it has failed. Provided that by preventive work we mean the work of operational structures. "If we're talking about propaganda, it's frankly weak and unconvincing," he emphasized.

The journalist also said that the presence of police officers on duty at the Dzhemikent checkpoint is common practice.

"The Dzhemikent checkpoint is located on the approach to the village of Dzhemikent (Derbent District) and is designed to monitor traffic flow from Makhachkala to Derbent and the mountainous part of southern Dagestan. He's been there for 20 years, if not more. The presence of police officers there is common practice," he said.

There should be normal relations between the authorities and the population. Unfortunately, this isn't the case in many places.

The head of the Public Monitoring Commission of Dagestan, Shamil Khadulaev, admits that the problem lay with the attacker himself.

"I can't say it's definitely a fabrication. There must have been something wrong with that man. I don't think security forces could have just shot a man. It must have been something like that. "In this case, there could be some personal circumstances, some kind of personal aggression, or something may have happened, or perhaps revenge for something," he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to him, it's unlikely that this incident can be considered a failure of the security forces.

"The investigation must determine the causes here. I wouldn't say it was a failure of the security forces specifically. Of course, the work should be more proactive, but in addition to this, there must also be normal relations between the authorities and the population. Unfortunately, this isn't the case in many places. I also wouldn't rule out the possibility of an underground presence; perhaps we still have some underground activity." Therefore, it is not a coincidence that this person came to light,” he noted.

As for the Dzhemikentsky checkpoint, there are usually seconded security forces there.

"Yes, there are seconded guys there. "I personally haven't encountered any problems there. Communication is normal, the guys are normal, they seem polite, nothing to complain about. Although there have been incidents at this post before," he noted.

Nine years ago, on February 15, 2016, an explosion occurred near the Dzhemikent traffic police post in the Derbent district. The explosion killed two police officers and injured 18 more. A total of four people were killed, including the suicide bomber. On July 11 of that year, a counter-terrorist operation (CTO) regime was declared in the village of Miskindzha. According to security forces, Admir (Arsen) Talibov, suspected of organizing the explosion at the Dzhemikent outpost in February 2016, took refuge in one of the houses there. As a result of the storming of the house, Taliban was killed, after which the special operation was declared complete.

"Caucasian Knot" is keeping a chronicle of armed incidents, attacks, explosions, and kidnappings in Dagestan.