Russian police have killed a senior Islamist militant in a shoot out in the North Caucasus.<br /><br />The operation was part of a nationwide tightening of security ahead of next month’s Winter games in Sochi.<br /><br />On Sunday a militant group from Dagestan posted a video claiming responsibility for last month’s deadly bombings in Volgograd and threatened more of the same at the Olympics.<br /><br />Russian security forces are now searching for a potential female suicide bomber said already to be in the Black Sea resort.<br /><br />She has been identified as 22-year-old Ruzanna Ibragimova, nicknamed “Salima”.<br /><br />Two other so-called ‘black widows’ of slain insurgents are also being sought.<br /><br />Russian officials have blamed female bombers for previous suicide attacks in the country.<br /><br />In a spirit of cooperation and as part of its own plan to keep its citizens safe, the US has pledged air and naval support to the Russian government if required.<br /><br />Washington has also offered counter-bomb technology developed in Afghanistan to thwart roadside explosive devices.<br /><br />On Tuesday, President Obama phoned President Putin to discuss how best to have a safe and secure Winter Olympics.
