GROZNY, July 13 (RIA Novosti) - Five militants have been killed in the last 24 hours in the North Caucasus republic of Chechnya, a spokesman for the republic's Interior Ministry said on Monday.

"Two militants opened fire on Sunday at police officers who tried to detain them in the Urus-Martan district of Chechnya. They were killed by return fire," the official said.

Three other militants were killed in the Shalin district of Chechnya early Monday after they fired at police officers from a Zhiguli car. Three assault rifles and ammunition were found in the car.

Police have launched investigations into both incidents.

Russia's mainly Muslim North Caucasus regions have seen a rise in violence in recent months. Attacks on police, officials and troops have been reported almost daily in Chechnya, Ingushetia and Daghestan.

A suicide bombing late last month left Ingush President Yunus Bek Yevkurov severely injured and killed three of his bodyguards. And in neighboring Daghestan the republic's interior minister was assassinated earlier in June.