ROSTOV-ON-DON, October 2 (RIA Novosti) - A police officer was killed and four injured in a shootout with suspected militants in the Russian North Caucasus Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria on Friday, a top Russian investigator said.

A group of assailants, armed with guns and grenades, attacked a traffic police post in the town of Prokhladny in the early hours of Friday.

"During the pursuit, the car with the attackers was blocked off near a traffic police post," Vladimir Markin said.

The gunmen abandoned the car and barricaded themselves in a private house. Special police units had arrived at the scene and surrounded the building. An operation to detain the occupants is still underway.

A civilian was also injured in the shooting.

Russia's North Caucasus republics have seen an upsurge of militant violence this year, with frequent attacks on police and officials.