Four militants killed in Russia's North Caucasus

Four militants killed in Russia's North Caucasus

Four militants were killed in a special police operation on Wednesday in the city of Khasavyurt, in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, a spokesman for the anti-terrorism committee (NAC) said, RIA Novosti reports.

"Four militants were killed in a shootout. Their identities are being established. The special operation is continuing," the spokesman said.

On Tuesday Russian law enforcers killed another two militants in the Dagestani capital, Makhachkala, who were involved in murders and attempts on the lives of police officers.

The NAC earlier reported that more than half of all terrorist attacks in the North Caucasus in 2010 took place in Dagestan.

Russia has been trying to clamp down on militant groups in its North Caucasus republics, while stepping up efforts to boost the local economies.

The Kremlin ended its decade-long anti-terrorism campaign against separatists in Chechnya in April 2009, but has since had to continue the fight against militants, as skirmishes and attacks on police and other officials have continued in the republic and around it.