STAVROPOL, Russia, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- A gunbattle between police and militants in a southern Russian village near the Chechen border has killed four police officers and eight militants.
Another three police officers have been injured, RIA Novosti reported Friday.
The shootout began Thursday afternoon in Tukui Mekteb in Stavropol region after police approached a building where militants were believed to be hiding and came under fire.
Fighting has continued until Friday, with about 300 police officers and member of the Federal Security Service, or FSB, called to the scene.
The local branch of the FSB said Thursday that about five militants had taken over two buildings on opposite sides of the street.
Armored vehicles were brought to the scene Thursday, but did not open fire on the buildings for fear that civilians might still be inside.
Russian television channel NTV reported the militant group was uncovered during a police operation to check passports.
