ISIS inmates 'liquidated' after they took two prison officers hostage in Russia's Rostov

In a shocking turn of events, Islamic State (IS) inmates took two prison officers hostage in a jail in southern Russia on Sunday (Jun 16). Prison authorities said chaos erupted at the detention centre 'Number One' in Rostov city as "the inmates took two prison officers hostage". The statement added that negotiations were underway with the inmates to secure the release of hostages.

Russia's state-backed TASS news agency reported that the inmates are due to appear in court and are held under terrorism charges.

Prison authorities later said both prison officers were freed without harm and the IS inmates were "liquidated".

"During a special operation... the criminals were liquidated and the employees taken hostage were freed and were not wounded," the service said in a statement.

Notably, Islamic State has sporadically targeted Russia over the past years. The terrorist group had attacked a concert hall near Moscow on March 22 this year, killing 144 people in what turned out to be the deadliest event on Russian soil in more than 20 years.

Russian authorities have since detained more than 20 people, including four suspected of carrying out the attack. All 20 people are believed to be from the former Soviet republic of Tajikistan.

(With inputs from agencies)