MOSCOW, November 11 (RIA Novosti) - Gunmen have attacked traffic police in the Russian republic of Karachai-Circassia, injuring two officers and a passerby, local police said on Wednesday.

The shooting occurred in the city of Karachayevsk late on Tuesday, police said.

Russia's North Caucasus has seen a surge in militant violence in recent months, with skirmishes and attacks on police and other officials being reported almost daily.

However, the commander of Russia's interior troops said on Wednesday military presence in the region, including in Chechnya, which saw two separatist wars in the late 1990s - early 200s, would not be increased.

Gen. Nikolai Rogozhkin acknowledged the difficult situation, but said it has been "manageable." "All problems have been tackled, bandits have received a proper response," he said.