Militant killed in North Caucasus clash

NAZRAN, Russia, May 23 (UPI) -- A shootout along Russia's Chechnya-Ingushetia border has left one militant dead and a policeman wounded, officials said Saturday.

The clash happened as a detachment of special Chechen and Ingush policemen encountered a group of about five militants along the border, RIA Novosti reported.

Officials said gunfire was exchanged and a militant was killed while one of the officers was slightly wounded.

Observers say fights between separatists and Kremlin-backed police remain common in Russia's North Caucasus.