MAKHACHKALA, November 11 (RIA Novosti) – The imam of a village in the North Caucasus republic of Dagestan was shot dead in his own backyard on Sunday, investigators said.

The attackers pelted Gadzhi Aliyev with gunshots, killing the cleric on the spot, the local branch of the Investigative Committee said.

They then fled the scene, leaving numerous shells for cartridges used in Kalashnikov assault rifles and Makarov handguns, a committee spokesperson said.

The incident took place in the village of Khadzhalmakhi, the spokesperson said. A check was opened.