Law enforcement officers have defused eight booby-trap mines on the border between the volatile Russian North Caucasus republics of Dagestan and Chechnya, a Dagestani police spokesman said Sunday.

"During a complex preemptive operation on November 27-29, eight booby-trap mines placed on the way of patrolling groups were discovered and neutralized," the spokesman said.

"During the mine clearing, a serviceman was slightly wounded in the leg," he said.

Russia's North Caucasus republics, in particular Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia, have seen frequent attacks on police and officials this year despite the end of a decade-long special regime for counterterrorism operations in Chechnya a few months ago.

MAKHACHKALA, November 29 (RIA Novosti)