Azernews.Az

Kazakh security forces and police have launched an antiterrorist operation in the western region of Atyrau, Radio Liberty reported.

The operation launched on September 12 is apparently aimed at detaining a group of militants.

There have been reports of a gun battle and the sound of explosions in the town of Kulsary as a government helicopter flew overhead.

Authorities say they killed two militants and injured another who had taken shelter in apartment blocks.

Witnesses told RFE/RL that three apartment blocks were sealed off in Kulsary by police in the morning, after residents had been evacuated.

As the operation stretched into the afternoon, rescue teams from the Emergency Ministry and ambulances remained positioned nearby.

There have recently been several antiterrorist operations in western Kazakhstan targeting religious extremists and alleged terrorists.