GROZNY, November 11 (RIA Novosti) - Five suspected militants have been killed and an Arab mercenary injured in a police operation in Chechnya, the North Caucasus republic's presidential press service said on Wednesday.

"Five militants have been killed. The search for the other members of the group is continuing," the press service said.

The operation in Chechnya's Shali district is being overseen by President Ramzan Kadyrov and also involves troops and security forces, the press service said.

The injured foreign fighter was identified as Yaser, who security officers said had been involved in attacks on troops and kidnappings.

The mainly Muslim Russian republic, which saw two separatist wars in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has been swept by a new wave of violence recently. Neighboring North Caucasus regions have also been plagued by instability.

Kremlin loyalist Kadyrov, who has pledged to end violence, frequently leads police operations.

Kadyrov has been credited for bringing relative peace to Chechnya and restoring its capital Grozny, but criticized for numerous rights abuses.