A total of seven militants were killed in a large-scale security operation in Russia's North Caucasus Republic of Dagestan, a local police source said on Sunday.

"According to preliminary data seven militants were killed in a large-scale security operation in a forest," the source said. "Data on casualties among the staff of law enforcement agencies is currently the same: one soldier killed and three riot police officers were injured."|

Earlier reports claimed three militants were killed with fourth was trying to escape.

The militants were killed on Sunday in the Kizlyar district in northern Dagestan, the police source said.

More that a decade after the end of a federal war against separatists in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Chechnya, Russian security forces continue to fight militants in other regions in the area, who stage frequent attacks on security forces, police and civilians.

MAKHACHKALA, May 8 (RIA Novosti)