The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs described ongoing operation against “armed group” in Kakheti region close to the Dagestan section of the Georgian-Russian border as “anti-terrorist.”

Interior Ministry said in a statement released shortly after 1pm local time on Wednesday: “Anti-terrorist operation against the armed group in [Lopota] gorge is ongoing. Crisis management headquarters, led by PM [Vano Merabishvili], has been established which also includes ministries of interior affairs; justice and defense. Inter-agency coordination plan has been developed, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.”

Similar statement was released by the Ministry of Defense.