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NEW DELHI: An attack by gunmen on a Moscow suburban concert hall Friday left at least 60 dead, 145 wounded, and the theater engulfed in flames, as reported by Russian authorities.
Here are the latest updates:
US confirms ISIS was responsible for deadly attack
The United States collected intelligence in March that Islamic State-Khorasan, known as ISIS-K, the branch of the group based in Afghanistan, had been planning an attack on Moscow, according to officials.Islamic State group members have been active in Russia, one US official said.
After a period of relative quiet, the Islamic State group has been trying to increase its external attacks, according to US counterterrorism officials. Most of those plots in Europe have been thwarted, prompting assessments that the group had diminished capabilities.
“ISIS-K has been fixated on Russia for the past two years,” frequently criticizing President Vladimir Putin in its propaganda, said Colin P. Clarke, a counterterrorism analyst at the Soufan Group, a security consulting firm based in New York. “ISIS-K accuses the Kremlin of having Muslim blood in its hands, referencing Moscow’s interventions in Afghanistan, Chechnya and Syria.”
US has intelligence confirming Islamic State responsibility for Russia attack, officials say
The United States has intelligence confirming Islamic State’s claim of responsibility for a deadly shooting at a concert near Moscow, two US officials said on Friday. The officials said the United States had warned Russia in recent weeks about the possibility of an attack.
“Earlier this month, the US government had information about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow – potentially targeting large gatherings, to include concerts – which prompted the State Department to issue a public advisory to Americans in Russia,” said Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council. “The US government also shared this information with Russian authorities in accordance with its longstanding ‘duty to warn’ policy.”
Putin spoke with law enforcement officials after attack
Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks on Saturday with the heads of law enforcement and emergency services following the deadly attack by gunmen on a Moscow concert hall, Russian news agencies said.
Putin received reports from the head of the security services (FSB), the Investigative Committee, the National Guard, and the ministers of interior, health and emergency situations, the news agencies reported, citing the Kremlin.
Putin wishes speedy recovery to those injured -TASS
Russian President Vladimir Putin wished a speedy recovery to those injured in an attack on a concert near Moscow that killed at least 60, state news agency TASS reported, citing Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova.



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