Suspected Islamic militants clashed with police in Chechnya, killing two law enforcement officers, a regional official said Saturday.
A group of about 25 suspected militants fought with government forces late Friday in Chechnya's southern district of Urus-Martan, a regional Interior Ministry official said.
One police officer and a soldier were killed, and one officer was wounded, the official said. At least four militants were wounded, he said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
However, the rebel-linked Web site Kavkaz Center claimed that at least nine law enforcement officers were killed in a gunfight that lasted for four hours.
Major fighting in Chechnya, site of two separatist wars over the past 13 years, ended years ago, but the southern Russian region is still plagued by violence, including militant hit-and-run raids on federal forces and local authorities.
Occasional rebel attacks resumed again in April as the snow melted in the mountains and spring foliage provided rebels with additional cover.
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