MOSCOW, September 13 (RIA Novosti) - An unknown suspect shot dead two policemen in Grozny, the capital of Russia's North Caucasus republic of Chechnya, a local police source said on Saturday.

The source said the incident took place on Friday afternoon in a local shop selling optics.

"An unknown suspect entered the shop and opened fire killing two policemen, who were there at the time," the source said, adding that the assailant managed to flee the scene and the search for him is underway.

Attacks on police, troops, officials, and clashes with militants have remained frequent in Chechnya although major fighting with separatists officially ended in 2001, and substantial efforts have been made to revive the troubled republic.