Three militants killed in Kabardino-Balkaria

Three members of armed groups were killed in an exchange of fire with police in the Baksan district in the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria in Russia's North Caucasus, a source in law enforcement agencies told Interfax.

"Two suspicious-looking cars were spotted near the village of Baksanenok at around 6:00 a.m. Moscow time. The drivers ignored policemen's orders to produce their IDs. After it, a shootout broke out, setting fire to both cars. Three gunmen sitting in them were killed," he said. One of the cars exploded, the source said.

One of the cars exploded, the source said. The site of the incident has been condoned off and the killed militants are being identified.

In a separate development, a counterterrorist operation was launched in Baksan after it was established that several armed people were hiding inside a building in the town, the source said. "This district was sealed off last night. A search operation started this morning. A shootout with unknown persons erupted during it," he said.