3 commandos and 11 militants killed in Georgia hostage rescue attempt

At least 3 Georgian commandos and 11 militants have been killed during an operation to free hostages held along Georgia's border with Russia, authorities said today.

The police operation was launched today after militants from Russia's Dagestan province, which has been plagued by extremist Islamist insurgents, crossed into Georgia and took five people captive.

Georgia's Deputy Interior Minister Nodar Kharshiladze told The Associated Press that the militants freed the hostages, but that they then opened fire on security forces after being asked to surrender.

Kharshiladze confirmed the death tolls. Several militants also were wounded, Georgian TV station Imedi reported. The hostages were believed to be civilians.

Islamist militants used Georgian districts adjacent to the Russian border as hideouts during two wars between Chechen separatists and Russian forces.

AP