Police stormed a house in Makhachkala early on 6 July, killing two militants including Rasul Makasharipov, leader of the Shariah Djamaat believed to be responsible for a string of assassinations and other terrorist acts. Two other militants escaped. The Shariah Djamaat claimed responsibility for a bomb attack at a public bath house in Makhachkala on 1 July that killed 10 Russian special forces troops, \"The New York Times\" reported on 3 July. A political scientist loyal to the current leadership of Daghestan was killed in Makhachkala on 5 July when gunmen opened fire on his car. \"Nezavisimaya gazeta\" on 5 July quoted Daghestan\'s interior minister, Adilgirei Magomedtagirov, as estimating the number of terrorist attacks in Daghestan since the beginning of this year at 68, of which 40 took place in Makhachkala. (RFE/RL)