Militant killed in special operation in Chechnya

GROZNY, June 3 (RIA Novosti) - An unidentified gunman was killed on Wednesday in a shootout between a militant group and police in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Chechnya, a law enforcement spokesman said.

The official said that during a special police operation, a group of militants was detected in a forest near the village of Akhkinchu-Borzoy. Both sides exchanged fire and one of the militants was killed. No police officers were injured.

The spokesman said the identity of the killed militant is currently being established, and that police are pursuing the rest of the group.

Militant attacks and clashes remain common in Russia's North Caucasus, although the Kremlin campaign to fight separatists and terrorists in Chechnya has officially ended. Violence often spills over into nearby republics, in particular Ingushetia and Daghestan.