NALCHIK, February 11 (RIA Novosti) - Police in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Kabardino-Balkaria killed seven militants on Wednesday, a local police source said.

"A large camp of militants equipped for an extended stay was discovered in forested mountains on Wednesday. The criminals put up armed resistance. Seven bandits were killed in an exchange of fire. They are being identified," the source said, adding that the police had suffered no casualties.

Police officers found plenty of guns, homemade explosives, grenades and munitions at the site.

A local security source said earlier that some of the gang could be linked to the execution of nine hunters in the region in November 2007.

The bodies of the nine hunters were found with gunshot wounds in the heads. The police issued the names of a dozen outlaws wanted on the suspicion of involvement in the crime.