Suspected Leader of IS Sleeper Cell Shot in Russia

Two Islamic State militants were killed in a shootout with police in Russia’s Stavropol region late Friday night, authorities said. One of the militants has been identified by the National Anti-Terrorism Committee as the leader of an IS sleeper cell in the region, located about 750 miles from Moscow. The suspected militants were killed by police around 11 p.m. local time after opening fire on police officers who’d tried to stop their vehicle, the committee said. Authorities believe the men were plotting terrorist attacks, with a rifle reportedly found in the car along with materials for building an explosive device. A subsequent search of one of the suspect’s homes also revealed grenades, a homemade explosive device, and extremist literature, the committee said.