ROSTOV-ON-DON, December 9 (RIA Novosti) - A police officer and a local resident were wounded on Tuesday in an armed attack in Nazran, the largest town in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Ingushetia, local investigators said.

Preliminary reports said an unidentified person opened fire twice - at the entrance to a police building in Nazran - at around 9.45 a.m. (06:45 GMT).

"As a result a police officer and a civilian received gunshot wounds," the spokesman said adding that the victims were later hospitalized.

The crime scene has been cordoned off and an investigation is underway.

Ingushetia has seen an increase in fighting between federal forces and militants of late.