A militant was killed in a shootout between militants and police in Russia`s North Caucasus Republic of Ingushetia early on Friday, a spokesman for the republic`s Interior Ministry said.

The clash occurred near the Ingush village of Muzhichi at approximately 2:00 a.m. Moscow time [22:00 GMT Thursday].

"One militant was killed in the shootout, no casualties among law-enforcement officers have been reported," the source said.

A police source told RIA Novosti that up to ten militants could be hiding in the village.

Ingushetia, which borders Chechnya, sees frequent militant attacks on officials and police. Ingush President Yunus-bek Yevkurov survived an assassination attack on Monday near the city of Nazran and is currently in a serious condition in a Moscow hospital.
sections: Society, Accidents