7 injured in Russia knife attack (Lead)

Moscow Aug 19 (IANS) At least seven persons were injured in a knife attack in the Russian city of Surgut on Saturday officials said.

The man who apparently stabbed passersby on the street at random was shot dead by police. The attack happened at about 11.20 a.m. An earlier statement said eight people had been wounded but that was later revised to seven BBC reported.

The injured were taken to hospital and two of them were in a critical condition the state-owned RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Russia s Investigations Committee said it had identified the attacker and was checking his psychological history. He was a local resident born in 1994 it said. No motive has been established yet.

Eyewitnesses said a police patrol arrived at the site immediately and had to shoot the attacker to stop him.

--IANS
soni/bg