MAKHACHKALA, September 12 (RIA Novosti) - A counter-terrorist operation is underway in the outskirts of Makhachkala, the capital of Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, a security services spokesman told RIA Novosti on Saturday.

The spokesman said that the operation had begun at 6:00 a.m. (02:00 GMT) in the village of Tarnair.

"A private house, in which four militants are believed to be hiding, has been surrounded. A special operation is underway," he said.

Russia's North Caucasus republics, in particular, Dagestan, Chechnya and Ingushetia, have seen a dramatic rise in militant activity of late, with attacks on police, federal forces and officials reported almost daily.

On Friday, a deputy prosecutor was shot dead by an unidentified assailant in Makhachkala.